The rules for YouTube gun content just got a lot stricter. The popular video platform will no longer allow videos that sell firearms or link to sites that sell firearms. Videos that demonstrate how to install certain accessories will be strictly prohibited. Videos that teach how to manufacture a firearm, ammunition and “high capacity” magazines (over 30 rounds) are also getting nixed.
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“While we’ve long prohibited the sale of firearms, we recently notified creators of updates we will be making around content promoting the sale or manufacture of firearms and their accessories, specifically, items like ammunition, gatling triggers, and drop-in auto sears,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement, according to The Federalist.
Tim Harmsen from YouTube’s Military Arms Channel said he and other content creators were told the changes would be applied retroactively and they have 30 days to comply. That means content creators have to comb through years worth of work—in some cases—and remove any video found to be in violation of the new policy. Harmsen also said YouTube would issue three strikes before permanently banned from the platform.
Below, see YouTube’s new policy for firearms content.
YouTube Gun Content Policies
YouTube prohibits certain kinds of content featuring firearms. Specifically, we don’t allow content that:
- Intends to sell firearms or certain firearms accessories through direct sales (e.g., private sales by individuals) or links to sites that sell these items. These accessories include but may not be limited to accessories that enable a firearm to simulate automatic fire or convert a firearm to automatic fire (e.g., bump stocks, gatling triggers, drop-in auto sears, conversion kits), and high capacity magazines (i.e., magazines or belts carrying more than 30 rounds).
- Provides instructions on manufacturing a firearm; ammunition; high capacity magazine; homemade silencers/suppressors; or certain firearms accessories such as those listed above. This also includes instructions on how to convert a firearm to automatic or simulated automatic firing capabilities.
- Shows users how to install the above-mentioned accessories or modifications.
