Require Social Media and Internet Outlets to Permit Legal and Legitimate Weapon Sales Ads
My name is Matthew Battaglioli, and much of my livelihood derives from selling firearms, ammunition, and other various weapons. The current situation is a disaster, as the growth of my business is hindered by the existing policies of social media platforms and other online web platforms. These major platforms undeniably provide a significant potential audience; yet due to their current stance restricting my type of business, I am either completely barred from advertising on these websites or forced to craft highly ambiguous advertisements, which hampers my growth and negatively impacts my business.Every citizen has the right to run a legal and legitimate business without unnecessary restrictions. My business, similar to others dealing in firearms and ammunition, operates within the boundaries of law and regulations. We are selling legal, legitimate products and responsibly contributing to the economy.However, current policies from social media and internet outlets seem to cast us, legitimate and responsible business owners, in the same light as illegal activities. These restrictions inhibit the reach of our businesses, impacting not only our livelihood but also the broader economy as a retail industry significantly contributing to overall annual sales. According to data from Statista, in 2021, the firearms and ammunition industry in the U.S. accounted for over $61 billion in sales, thus underscoring our economic significance.This petition, thus, seeks to encourage social media platforms and internet outlets to review and revise their advertising policies concerning the legitimate sale of firearms and other weapons. Validate our right to optimum business growth, respect our role in the nation's economy, and allow us to advertise our legal, legitimate products on these platforms.
Furthermore, many of, if not all of these platforms receive or have received large sums of money in the form of subsides from the government. Therefore, we firearms retailers are paying taxes out of the business we do conduct to help financially prop up the institutions that deny us the right advertise that business on their websites. As recipients of government funds, these social media giants ought to be considered extensions of the government and thereby bound by its Constitutional restrictions. That is to include allowing the advertising of all legal and legitimate businesses on the premise of freedom of speech and press. Sign this petition. Let's aim for a fairer and more respectful environment for all types of legal and legitimate businesses in the online space.