Facebook is reinvigorating the issue of gun control with its new policy dedicated to censoring gun advertisements on its site.

(Facebook, Creative Commons)

With Facebook’s reach stretching to nearly 1.3 billion active users, it is no wonder that social media has increasingly become an outlet for the subversion of government rules in the attainment of firearms. 

"We will not permit people to post offers to sell regulated items that indicate a willingness to evade or help others evade the law," Facebook said.

While the exact numbers of users participating in the buying and selling of guns on Facebook remain uncertain, Politico reports that one group, Guns For Sale, has more than 213,000 followers.

Facebook is working to curb the illegal exchange of guns by deleting those postings that explicitly call for the sale of such weapons without background checks. Facebook will also block users under 18 from viewing gun advertisements all together.

Facebook’s initiative comes as a result of a six-week online-campaign by gun control advocacy groups, specifically Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG). The groups’ demands were not answered entirely, as the Facebook will continue to allow its pages be used as a vehicles for the legal sale of guns. 

SEE ALSO: The Missing Piece In Gun Control

Nevertheless, gun control proponents have expressed that Facebook’s latest action against the unlawful purchase of firearms is a step in the right direction. “On many issues, you make progress in the capital by making progress other places,” said MAIG Chairman John Feinblatt.

Contrastingly, for those on the other end of the spectrum, or supporter’s of the National Rifle Association (NRA), Facebook’ restrictions come as an attack on the Americans’ freedom of expression. 

Tom King, the president of the NRA, referred to the rules as “a kind of limit on our First Amendment rights.” Facebook has not hesitated to counter the NRA’s backlash. "This is one of many areas where we face a difficult challenge balancing individuals' desire to express themselves on our services and recognizing that this speech may have consequences elsewhere," Facebook said.

Facebook’s announcement comes after a slew of unexpected shootings. These events have sparked concerns regarding the safety and vulnerability of public spaces, leading to fierce debates over the stiffer gun control laws. 

Contact Executive Producer Jackie Giordano here.