Google Bans ‘Guns, Ammunition and Knives’ From Its Online Shopping Site
- Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:21pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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AP
Google has officially adopted a new policy banning the sale of firearms, ammunition and related products from its Google Shopping service.
A Google Shopping policy page lists “guns, ammunition and knives” among its prohibited items; searches for “gun scopes,“ ”5.56 ammo“ and ”remington 700“ are among a host of terms that currently return a ”did not match any results” page from the search engine giant’s shopping site:
The policy change was announced in May but only recently gained widespread notice on firearm and outdoor enthusiast sites, including Guns & Ammo and Outdoor Hub.
According to Search Engine Land, Google has been notifying online merchants that they will not be permitted to continue listing weapons-related items for sale on Google Shopping.
“We do not allow the promotion or sale of weapons and any related products such as ammunitions or accessory kits on Google Shopping. In order to comply with our new policies, please remove any weapon-related products from your data feed and then re-submit your feed in the Merchant Center,” a letter posted on Guns & Ammo from Google to one such retailer stated.
According to the Agence France-Presse news agency, Google made the change when it turned its “product search” free listing service into Google Shopping, which has paid listings — thus requiring it be brought in compliance with Google’s advertising policies.
“Our company has a strong culture and values, and we’ve chosen not to allow ads that promote products and services that are incompatible with these values,” Google’s letter stated.
As a result, Google Shopping “doesn’t allow the promotion of weapons or devices designed to cause serious harm or injury,“ including ”guns, gun parts or hardware, ammunition, bombs, knives, throwing stars, and brass knuckles,” according to AFP.
Outdoor Hub said the policy change “censors” firearm searches, while Guns & Ammo called it “disappointing” — particularly given the sharp rise in gun sales. An online petition to “tell Google not to interfere with our Second Amendment rights” had garnered more than 600 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
The National Rifle Association accused Google of making a “calculated political statement” with its “new and discriminatory policy.”
“This appears to be a calculated political statement by Google at a time when most other large online retailers and search services are increasing the level of information they provide and the number of gun-related products they offer for sale,” an NRA statement said. “Fortunately, with so many other options available to consumers, Google’s attempt to limit information about legal and constitutionally protected products will likely prove futile.”
Search Engine Land noted that while Google seems to be within its rights to determine what advertisers can and cannot cannot hawk, “it also seems like a slippery slope to use vague terms like “culture and values” to determine who can and can’t list products in Shopping Search.”
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Comments (136)
John in Connecticut
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:53pmYeah, so what. I just bought a great knife on ebay. Who needs google anyway.
Report Post »mils
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 5:44pmha..not selling through google is really gonna slow down those gang bangers out there from buying guns and ammunition…ha..
Report Post »Everywhere we turn these days..we are being hemmed in….time coming for the worm to turn..Nov is a good start.
Cameraman
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 5:54pmGuck Foogle!
Report Post »booger71
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 6:00pmI buy all my weapons from private sellers any way. No paperwork.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:01pmOne MORE reason I don‘t use ’google’ anything.
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:20pmGoogle shopping is going commercial
Report Post »im certain their thinking lawsuit and the way things are
their probably right
CobraBill
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 1:54amWhat’s Google?
Report Post »txbigfoot
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 9:08ambut they allow bdsm items, torture, etc on their site.. interesting but standard liberal hypocrites.
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 11:19amWho needs google for arms shopping?
Report Post »I use gun-deals.com
Ohello
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:52pmThe SCOTUS just ruled that violating the Constitution via the Tax Code is Constitutional. All the Government now needs to do is to tax every firearm out of being borne by implementing a penalty or a tax or a fee that would make the cost of owning a firearm or ammunition prohibitive. Failure to pay the tax would be penalized.
Report Post »Heck they could claim a firearm increases healthcare costs for everyone therefore you need to pay for more Healthcare Insurance if you own a firearm.
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:21pmHey, don’t give them ideas!
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:28pmToo Late, the Healthcare Fiasco has been planned years in advance. The elimination of guns is already in process.
Report Post »mils
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 6:05pm@OHELLO…We agree with you. And we believe that NONE of this started with Obama…it has been creeping up for years. We, Americans, have been ostriches..
Report Post »If not for the internet..we still would not know what is going on…
ObserverOnTheHill
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:35pmWhat do you think Hillary has been busy working on ?
Report Post »jhrusky
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:18pm@ mils
“We agree with you. And we believe that NONE of this started with Obama…it has been creeping up for years. We, Americans, have been ostriches.. If not for the internet..we still would not know what is going on…”
Thus the need for the internet kill switch … it’s to keep us … safe …
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:50pmIf a big story comes out about a life-threatening situation, and the news says “weapon bought on Google”, it could become a big pubic relations problem.
Can’t help but see a parallel with this Fast & Furious scandal. Is the far Left saying the focus should be on “banning guns” rather than seeking a fair judicial reading? Perhaps, since it’s “their guy” in the hot seat. But gun sales & stocks are currently shooting up!
This administration will never have the time to deliver independent justice for each case. This administrations wants control over EVERY aspect of our lives. So does talking point has to do with eliminating the justice problem by granting the Federal Government the power to control our “bad behavior” rather than be in the business of Due Process of Law for each individual.
Due Process just slow things down, and this administration is all about expediancy in the name of efficiency. Might as well yank my heart out my chest with your bare hands.
Report Post »maynardb61
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 12:24pmPersonally, I would not buy a weapon online anyway. However I do like to research what I intend to buy.
Report Post »So if the research ability for weapons is going away, that would be a stupid policy. But then again, I live close to a large city (Houston) and have no need to purchase online. We gots lots of gun shops. lololol
Jazzmanblue
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:50pmI am sure the nation’s gunowners and sportsmen can find other online sellers instead of Google. In fact, I will be sure not to place an order of any kind through their shopping service until the policy is changed.
When Google Shopping Services realizes their potential market does not include the estimated 80 million legal gun owners across the country, they may reconsider their position.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:24pm….not that any gun owner would ever consider going back to using Google after this. You just got a peek into their world.
Report Post »Delicaterose65
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:50pmOK my friends on Faceplant … HERE is the reason I was saying MONTHS AGO not to put GOOGLE on your computers!! I stand with Internet EX!!!! <3 HA-HA-HA <3 GOOGLE SUCKS!!!
Report Post »Thunderchicken
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:49pmPlenty of other search engines on the net.
Report Post »Red Meat
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:12pmPeople shop on google? Who knew?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 5:14pmNo loss, I never used Google Shopping but I try it and they have no problem with (communist manifesto)
Report Post »ehd
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:48pmGoogle is a private company that can do anything it wants…but, there are conseqences…fewer shoppers….NOTE: there are MORE people in the United States that are conservative/libertarian/and independents than there are lib/progressives/socialists/and communists….a little research would have shown what a dumb thing such a decision would be…too late….too bad…you could have googled it..
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:47pmGoogle continues to work with the NoBama Administration…shamey shamey
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:47pmBuying guns or ammo from google will most certainly land you at the top of the government watch list
Report Post »marcus_arealius
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:45pmYou would have to be an idiot to buy any of those items on Queer Commie Google.
Report Post »aztireman
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:44pmWe have to break free of this political correct disease we have fallen gravely ill from as a country. If my second ammendment rights do not share googles values then they can keep thier quazi socialist, green, and or homosexual agenda and values to them selves. No I won’t sign a petition to try to convince someone who truley has no real values, to try to understand mine is the problem. Compromise is not the answer, boycott google and all of the leftist agenda being pushed on our great American society. Here is another value the google would probably find offensive GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:43pmWe stopped googling long time ago. Don’t go to their traitorous service any more.
If you’re ordering anything online, be good to go ahead and get it now while we still can.
MADISON RISING’s “Star Spangled Banner” for a FOURTH OF JULY treat, y’all.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Report Post »Lt_Scrounge
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 9:37pmI just had to take Google Chrome off of my computer AGAIN. I have no idea how it ended up there I have no Idea. When I went to uninstall it, it sends you over to the Google website for a debrief. Considering one of the questions that they ask is if the reason why you’re dumping them is privacy concerns.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:40pmGoogle has very bad leadership. THey are supposed to ‘go out of business’ by 2014. I have my e-mail with them. Guess I will have to get another e-mail site. Google is becoming anti-conservative and I will not support that culture.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 2:00am“becoming anti-conservative ”
BECOMING ?!!!
Report Post »thatguymaddow
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:39pmTaking my son hunting, teaching him about nature and ethics and safety is not compatible with Google’s culture and values. I’ll keep that in mind.
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:38pmDon’t worry, if Obama gets back in office they are going to ban all firearms and the 2nd Admendment will be no more!
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:38pmSo are they going to ban the use of the “word (s)” pocketknife, steak knife, razor blade, axe, and ballpoint pen? All of these items and more can be used as a weapon.
Google is in bed with the progressives and the anti gun lobby. They are a private company and can do what they please. This is just another reason I do not use Google for anything. I do plenty of shopping and searching on line so this is their loss, their advertisers loss, not mine.
Report Post »Gary S
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:37pmES and D, Google. (and the Kenyan you rode in on)
Report Post »bornagaincowgirl
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:34pmThanks Google for making things more difficult for all of us law-abiding, tax-paying, never-been-to-prison, God-fearing, wouldn’t-hurt-a-fly people. Thats why I use Bing, you are too big for your britches . And thats why I‘ve never brought a gun before but I’m going to buy one now, maybe two or three.
Report Post »DEFCON4
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:42pm@Bornagain, Cheaper Than Dirt. com. has everything You need. God Bless and Happy Hunting !!!!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:48pmGood for you, Darlin’! If you haven’t already seen Doug Giles “Ten Commandments for Dating My Daughter”, do. It’s on THE BLAZE, and you can see an ad by same daughter on her website about “Girls and Guns”. Nice. Welcome to the club!
Report Post »Xiccarph
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:42pmGoogle couldn‘t care less about your or anyone else’s freedom. Their management feels the need to place their Utopian values into their business model…perhaps it makes them sleep better at night, believing they are doing their little part to save the country from itself and from dangerous gun owners.
Report Post »Be sure you buy your firearm “off the grid”; no sense making it easier for the goon squads to find it if Obambi gets the UN small arms treaty they want. The loon will probably try to use an EO.
saranda
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 5:46pmBing isthe same. Only difference is gb does not have a vendetta again at bing and he decided googleis evil. My guess is he tried to find a way to manipulate Google to benefit himself financially and they kiboshed it. Typically gb to single out someone when everyone does it.
Report Post »bunnylefluf
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 9:14pminot understanding…. why is it you are against this!!?? if someone goes out (and they will) and commits a crime with a gun bought on google.. not only could there be law siuts but it gives other the idea to do it too.. get in reality.. not everyone uses a gun for just hunting.. mostly guns are used to commit crimes.. now, why if your a god fearing citizen of this great country.. would’nt you want to try to but a stop to those crimes? and please if anyone is going to relpy.. make sense..or dont waste time.
Report Post »bornagaincowgirl
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 12:18am@Bunny–if as you say “mostly guns are used to commit crimes,” then what am I do to if a crime should be committed against my family, my children, my grandchildren, or I with a gun? What am I to do to protect myself. I have no intention of hurting anyone…but if I had to protect someone I love, I promise you, I won’t miss. Why should criminals be the only ones to have guns???!!!! Guns don’t kill people, people do.
Report Post »Steelheadisadouche
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:04amBunny
Report Post »You speak of the “gunshow loophole” where 2 private citizens work out business btw themselves. Clearly, in that line of thinking you need to address any killer veggies that are at farmer’s markets, cars and trucks sold privately, and any kind of trade not sanctioned by your uncle. That smells like liberty from here. Most peeps who search oogle look for a dealer, who then ships to their local dealer, and your uncle has the paperwork from both of the ffl’s. What you want is to screw everyone for the sake of a few new age lib/dem/progressives. Congrats.
pavnvet
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:34pmWhen I read about this yesterday, I deleted my chrome browser, google earth, gmail account and said if it has to do with google, I am done. When they asked why in the surveys, I told them they were horses’ butts and I am exercising my right to free association under the Constitution. They are just Obamabots anyway. If they won’t support my rights, I will not support their right to exist. Join me.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:45pmDone! Thanks for leading.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:37pmGood for you, because Google is also “scanning” emails, too.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-43446393/google-will-scan-your-email-not-read-it-what-hypocrisy/
Report Post »jetmech807
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 2:53pmFor those that don’t know, the Android operating system on smart phones is a google product. Sucks to be stuck with either apple or google for a good smart phone. Can’t stand either one.
Report Post »Tom Ballard
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:31pmBoycott google,
Report Post »mrpips
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:31pmUse Bing. Because It’s Not Google.
Report Post »LB
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:29pmDon’t google anymore. Find another way.
Report Post »The Woot
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:29pmBoycott the site for everything.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:28pmNot a very smart business decision, but have at it Google. I, for one, will never have anything to do with Google, if I can help it.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:34pmI banned Google from my computer before March 1st. Deleted all e-mail, format, reinstall and never went back.
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:26pmGoogle is a private company that can do anything it wants and I can buy from whomever I want. If I‘m going to buy weapons online I’ll go to gunbroker.
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