YouTube Changes Policy to Age-Restrict Dangerous Firearms Content, Everytown for Gun Safety Responds

NEW YORK – In the wake of public pressure and growing calls for change, YouTube has changed its content policy to age-restrict certain firearm content for viewers under the age of 18, as well prohibit videos that demonstrate how to remove a safety device from a firearm for users of all ages. Everytown for Gun Safety released the following statement in response:

“The changes to YouTube’s firearms policy are a step in the right direction. For years, we’ve sent recommendations to YouTube regarding the extreme firearm content on its platform – much of which is easily accessible to children,” said Justin Wagner, Senior Director of Investigations at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Firearms are the number one killer of kids and teens, and platforms like YouTube have a responsibility, at the very least, to age-gate extreme gun content. We are pleased the platform has agreed to limit the accessibility of dangerous videos to minors – though it is worth noting the efficacy of this new policy lies in YouTube’s commitment to its implementation.” 

Everytown for Gun Safety has called for changes to YouTube’s firearms policies for years, sending a series of letters and recommendations to the company regarding its gun content, in addition to publishing a report that analyzed how the racist mass shooter in Buffalo used YouTube as a library to plan his attack. The Manhattan District Attorney, citing Everytown research, recently sent a letter to YouTube raising concerns over the platform hosting videos on how to make and manufacture “ghost guns” – unserialized, untraceable firearms –  as well as the algorithms that push these videos onto the screens of young children. 

Following these changes, Youtube will now age-restrict certain firearm content for viewers under the age of 18, including videos showing the firing of a machine gun with Glock switches; the firing of homemade ghost guns and 3D-printed guns; and the firing of a weapon with a high capacity magazine or bump stock, among other changes. What’s more, YouTube plans to start prohibiting videos, to users of all ages, that show users how to remove a safety device from a firearm, such as a device that limits the release of a magazine.