Delete the Videos! YouTube Cracks Down on Gun Channels (Again.)
Another day, another anti-gun policy put in place by YouTube. The media giant has been slowly taking steps to eliminate channels they have deemed controversial and “wrong think.” They started with the demonetization scheme targeting a wide variety of creators. This included free speech advocates, skeptics, and of course gun channels. They honed their focus after the Las Vegas shooting and began randomly issuing strikes for vague violations, explicitly targeting bump stock videos that were often several years old. Since then massive channels like Military Arms Channel have even temporarily turned their videos private to avoid getting randomized strikes and losing their channels.
On March 19th, 2018 YouTube released their newest set of anti-gun policies. The new policies stated they were no longer allowing 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 accessories as mentioned above or modifications.
Okay so let’s break that down and talk about how this is going to affect gun channels of all kinds. First, and foremost the first rule is going to hit significant gun channels with sponsors like a brick. Since YouTube demonetization scheme left most of these channels scrambling for a way to continue making money, many took sponsors. These creators, of course, give their sponsors a shout out. Most provide a link in the description of the video to their sponsors as well.
These sponsors include firearms companies, ammunition companies and of course retailers looking to advertise their services.
The second policy will prohibit how to channels, tutorials, and even reloading channels from teaching, educating, and providing safe and effective instruction.
Lastly, any videos that show the installation of the accessories as mentioned above. This will prohibit any video where the creator does a reload with a standard capacity magazine. That qualifies as an installation of an accessory as discussed above. (Google’s insistence on the phrase high capacity magazines or belts.)
The rules also have the power to eliminate gun channels en masse. These rules will affect videos that were created and posted well before these new policies were enacted. This gives YouTube the power to wipe out almost every gun channel on the platform.
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