Facebook Policy on Gun Sales
Facebook’s official policy specifies that private individuals can’t sell these on the platform:
- Firearms
- Ammo
- Explosives
But what does Facebook mean by firearms? Here’s a list of examples:
- Rifles
- Shotguns
- Machine guns
- Handguns
- Pistols
- Revolvers
- Antique guns
- Firearm receivers
- Black powder firearms
- Muzzle-loading firearms
- BB guns
- Air guns
- Air rifles
- Airsoft guns
- Paintball markers
- Firearm replicas
- Curios and relics
- Non-functioning firearms
Is It Illegal to Sell a Gun on Facebook?
It’s not actually illegal to sell a gun on Facebook. It’s just not allowed by the platform’s policies if you’re not a licensed gun dealer.
It’s only illegal to sell a gun on Facebook if you violate a government law in doing so. For example, if you try to sell an unregistered short-barreled rifle there, that’s illegal.
And it won’t be illegal because of Facebook’s policies. It will be illegal because of the National Firearms Act (NFA), a federal law that regulates those guns.
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Penalties for Selling Guns on Facebook
If it’s not illegal to sell a gun on Facebook, what’s stopping you? The answer: Facebook penalties.
Facebook typically removes posts that violate its terms once they’re detected. It also hands out penalties on a strike system.
Users can have up to 10 strikes. However, posting other types of content (e.g. posts advocating violence) can reduce that to 5.
One policy violation is one strike. If you max out the strikes, your account can be permanently suspended.
According to a Facebook spokesman, most never reach that point. He said “nearly 90” of violators get less than two strikes and only since they don’t know the rules.
Do People Sell Guns on Facebook Anyway?
Obviously, there will always be people who violate the rules – deliberately or not. That’s why you can sometimes find non-FFLs selling guns on Facebook Marketplace.
However, most of these employ code to get around the rules instead. Some use the term “hole punch” to avoid getting flagged for the word “gun.”
Others advertise “gun cases” but offer a real gun when messaged. Unfortunately, they can be subject to the penalties we described earlier if caught.
Other Gun Items You Can’t Sell on Facebook
Now you know the answer to “Can I sell guns on Facebook.” You may have questions about selling other gun-related items, though, so here are the answers:
- Can you sell gun magazines on Facebook Marketplace?
- No, you can’t.
- Can you sell gun parts on Facebook Marketplace?
- No, you can’t.
- Can you sell gun safes on Facebook Marketplace?
- Yes, you can.
- Can you sell gun accessories on Facebook Marketplace?
- You can’t if they’re grips, sights, scopes, lasers, or lights. However, holsters, manuals, and boxes are often allowed.
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Facebook Alternatives for Selling Guns Online
Ultimately, the only allowed way to sell guns on Facebook is as an FFL. If you don’t have the time to get licensed just for that, just sell to us instead!
Cash for Arms offers a simpler process for selling guns online, with only three steps. We’re FFLs, so you can be sure of selling to a legitimate and safe buyer.
We’re also known for buying guns for the best prices, often beating private buyers in our offers. And we even buy guns of nearly every condition and type, from curios to NFA Class III firearms.
In addition to that, we provide rock-solid service rated 4.9 stars on Google. Contact us here or at 904-977-5477 now!