PM backs call from Stirling MP and Dunblane dad for tougher action on illegal gun ads
Online companies will need to be "proactive rather than reactive" when it comes to the removal of advertisements for firearms, according to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed a call from Stirling’s MP for tougher action on illegal gun ads from technology companies.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Stirling and Strathallan MP Chris Kane called on the PM to ensure the companies were ‘proactive rather than reactive’ when it comes to the removal of advertisements for guns.
This comes in the wake of our story about Mr Kane's constituents raising concerns over advertisements for handguns appearing on online platforms Google and YouTube.
In response, the Prime Minister confirmed the Online Safety Act, coming into effect on Monday, March 17, “will require online services to proactively remove such content from their platforms and prevent it from appearing there in the first place”.
He then confirmed the Government “will make sure all companies meet their obligations”.
The commitment came the day before the 29th anniversary of the Dunblane Tragedy, which saw the lives of 16 children and their teacher tragically lost.
Mr Kane said: “I am pleased that the Prime Minister has made such a clear statement on this issue.
“It is clear that the technology companies have a moral and, now, a legal duty to remove such adverts.
“I look forward to hearing from Google on the steps they will take to ensure that such ads are permanently blocked throughout the UK.”
Last month web search giant Google removed two ads for banned handguns. The MP was alerted to the material on Google and YouTube by constituents — one of whom was confronted with an ad for a Glock 19 while shopping for air filters.
The politician contacted Google and also escalated the matter to the UK Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, urging a probe.
The call for action was later backed by Dr Mick North, who lost his daughter Sophie, five, in the 1996 tragedy at Dunblane Primary School.
He was among those who successfully campaigned for a handgun ban in the wake of the shootings, and who continue to monitor gun control.
Google removed the ads in question following a review, with a spokesperson telling the Observer: “We have reviewed the ads in question and removed them for violating our policies.
“Protecting users, both online and offline, is our top priority, so we don’t allow the promotion of certain products or services that cause damage, harm, or injury and have strict policies that govern the types of ads we allow to run on our platforms.
“Additionally, advertisers must comply with the local laws and regulations of any area their ads target.”
According to Google, it has strict policies that govern the types of ads it allows to run on its platforms and, to help keep people safe both online and offline, it does not allow the promotion of some products or services that cause damage, harm, or injury.
It does not allow dangerous products, such as guns that are designed or promoted as products that can be used to injure an opponent in sport, self-defence, or combat.
It also says keeping its users and partners safe is its top priority, it invests heavily in the enforcement of its policies and has a team of thousands working around the clock to create and enforce its policies at scale. It also says a combination of human reviews and automated systems are used to enforce the policies, and the network is constantly monitored for abuse.
Those concerned about access to firearms, however, have argued there is still an issue with ads for guns and other products slipping through and the reliance on web users to report them, given that those who want to obtain banned guns are unlikely to do so.
Gun control campaigners are believed to have noticed an increase in the number of firearm adverts coming through popular online platforms, such as ads for hybrid-type weapons, including 3D printed, CO2 powered, and real firearms.
In the cases raised by MP Mr Kane, he was approached by two separate constituents — one a former Dunblane pupil — after they were confronted with unsolicited adverts for firearms online. One was “stunned to be served an advertisement between videos to buy a ‘Glock 19’ handgun,”.
On hearing of the cases, Dr North had said: “The proliferation of online adverts for weapons which, for very good reasons, were banned in Britain 28 years ago, is very disturbing and any measures that can be taken to stop them must be taken.
“No one should be encouraged in any way whatsoever to try and buy a handgun or anything that resembles one.”