The controversy started on Saturday afternoon when the 80-year-old, Iowa-based retailer announced on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that its YouTube channel—launched 10 years ago and with more than 67,000 subscribers—were deleted by the video-sharing site. It then supplied a few helpful contact links for YouTube and its parent Google, so supporters could voice their displeasure at this anti-gun move.
Brownells’ YouTube channel has been terminated w/oout warning or notice.
If you’re opposed to the attacks on our communitys 1st & 2nd Amendment rights, please contact GOOGLE : 650-253-0000 OPTION 5 FOR YOUTUBE, MESSAGE YT & GOOGLE:https://t.co/csetulvAckhttps://t.co/9oLz6TGWZx pic.twitter.com/T85z9Py2l0— Brownells, Inc. (@BrownellsInc) June 9, 2018
After an uproar from the firearms community, the service went ahead and reinstated Brownells’ channel on Sunday. Brownells thanked its fans for making it clear to YouTube that it wasn’t happy with the initial removal.
YouTube has yet to give a reason for its deletion of Brownells YouTube account.
Back in March, YouTube announced it would no longer allow videos that sell firearms or link to sites that sell firearms. Furthermore, YouTube prohibited videos that demonstrate how to install certain accessories.
In addition, videos that teach how to manufacture a firearm, ammunition and “high capacity” magazines (more than 30 rounds) also got nixed.
Below is YouTube’s policy on 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.
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