Moms Demand Action Founder Shannon Watts Responds to Facebook's Excuses for Facilitating Gun Sales Online

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earlier this week, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched a campaign asking Facebook and Instagram to immediately enact a policy prohibiting all sales and trades of firearms on their platforms. These social media platforms provide an unregulated online marketplace where felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people can easily obtain firearms.

In response to Moms Demand Action's announcement, a Facebook spokesperson told reporters that the company, which also owns Instagram, is unable to prevent private sales because its platforms are not used for e-commerce. Below is a statement from Moms Demand Action Founder Shannon Watts responding to Facebook's claims that it is unable to prohibit gun sales: 

"This argument is misleading and disingenuous. Craigslist, a social media platform used for buying and trading, already prohibits gun sales, and specifically calls out 'firearms/guns and components' in its list of 'content prohibited on Craigslist.'

Thanks to the 'private sale loophole' in federal law, non-dealer sales initiated on the Internet are not subject to background checks in most states. However, even in states that require these background checks, people prohibited by law from owning a gun could buy one through Facebook or Instagram. The company cannot guarantee that transactions made on its own platforms are completed legally. In addition, Facebook allows users to advertise their posts about gun sales and trades in 'groups' and on their profiles, providing an easy avenue for dangerous people to obtain guns. 

Facebook and Instagram already prohibit certain content in the interest of public safety, including hate speech and content that incites violence. American mothers – one of the largest demographics on Facebook – are calling on the company's leaders to do the right thing and immediately enact a policy to prohibit all gun sales and trades on their platforms and help close its dangerous online loophole."

About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving was created to change laws regarding drunk driving, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was created to build support for common-sense gun reforms. The nonpartisan grassroots movement of American mothers is demanding new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. In just one year, the organization has more than 130,000 members with a chapter in every state in the country. The group recently joined forces with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter @MomsDemand

SOURCE Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

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