Families of Uvalde shooting victims are suing Meta for allegedly allowing gun manufacturers to promote firearms to minors on Instagram. The lawsuit points to specific ads, including one featuring Santa Claus and another with a rifle beside a refrigerator, which it claims target minors. Meta's attorney argued there is no evidence minors viewed these ads, and claimed they did not violate policies since they aren’t direct advertisements. Such posts are allowed under strict visibility rules for minors. The families have also filed lawsuits against Daniel Defense and Activision.
Linsley said content advertising firearms for sale on Instagram is allowed if posted by 'brick-and-motor and online retailers,' but visibility of those posts is restricted for minors, under Meta's advertising policies from the end of 2021 to October 2022.
The lawsuit alleges those posts are marketed toward minors. The Uvalde gunman opened an online account with Daniel Defense before his 18th birthday and purchased the rifle as soon as he could, according to the lawsuit.
Kristin Linsley argued that the families provided no proof that minors, including the Uvalde gunman, even read the Daniel Defense posts on Instagram.
Linsley said, 'This is not a playbook for how to violate the rules. This is actually what the rules are.'
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