It seems that Google has joined Ebay and others in banning advertisements for gun and knife sales. I used to be a staunch user of Google over Bing, mainly because I avoided Microsoft whenever possible. But now, it looks like Bing's for me from now on. I dropped out of Ebay, Paypal, and other online sites years ago because of their policies. Looks like Google is another I won't use.
"Google is banning the sale of weapons and ammunition within its shopping center, causing firearms owners to second guess their use of the search giant." http://dailycaller.com/2012/06/29/google-bans-gun-sales-on-us-shopping-center/
"Google AdWords doesn't allow the promotion of weapons or devices designed to cause serious harm or injury. The promotion of weapons includes guns, gun parts or hardware, ammunition, bombs, knives, throwing stars, and brass knuckles." http://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=176077
"Internet giant Google has adopted a new and discriminatory policy with respect to the advertising of firearms, ammunition and related products. The change affects the firm's "Google Shopping" function." http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/articles/2012/google-adopts-anti-gun-policy.aspx
Google is a powerful tool for finding connecting people in a way that is almost completely untraceable. Why would you want drug gangs, terrorists, etc. having access to this when the legal avenues for purchasing firearms are so abundant?
Why would you assume that drug gangs and terrorists are using Google to purchase firearms? Unwarranted and completely unproven assumption! My point is that certain things, like tobacco, firearms, knives, and other stuff, are politically incorrect and we are all of us, I guess, supposed to fall into the "correct" line of thinking. Whatever happened to the free marketplace and live-and-let-live thinking?
The instances you cite are person-to-person sales such as Craigslist or some other avenue. If you had bothered to read the Google ban, you would have seen that they are banning their marketshopping feature for such items. It is impossible to ban person-to-person sales of anything on the internet. You can still Google gun purchases of person-to-person stuff. It's their business-paid advertising that they are banning. Understand, now?
Yes, they are ending the directly Google sanctioned gun sales, thus taking their name off of any illegal transactions. A wise decision on their part given the growing online arms market.
If you enjoy firearms, you should be for preventing illegal sales of any kind, as the alternative is gun control.
Maybe, but they are also shutting off many legitimate and law-abiding businesses from exercising free and legal trade. Google is flat-out engaging in illegal restrain of trade, in my opinion. After all, most businesses that pay to advertise are bona fide companies that keep to the laws. Most are FFL holders.
eBay now allows gun accessories and parts.
Oh no! Pete will probably read something on TT that will cause him to drop out!
This whole thing is silly. I wouldn't buy a gun off google, that's my own choice. Maybe Gander, Clelands, in town FFL, keep it local. Ok fine, Ganders a chain but anyhow.
Let's say I want to buy off Google. I'm, a law abiding tax paying raises my kids and grandkids citizen. I follow all the laws....but if I bought a firearm through Google I'm a gang member or terrorist from a funny sounding named country with smelly foods?
No, I'm not.
Google AdWords doesn't allow the promotion of weapons or devices designed to cause serious harm or injury. The promotion of weapons includes guns, gun parts or hardware, ammunition, bombs, knives, throwing stars, and brass knuckles.
Aww...shit.
Now I'm going to have to pay a 20% premium to the local ninja consortium to get my throwing stars. Damn unions....
OHT, did you check the prices at Ninja Weapon Wholesale? They cut out the middleman. No, I mean literally cut him out, I've seen it, it's pretty gruesome.