Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Markey’s legislation would direct Federal Trade Commission to create rule prohibiting gun marketing to kids and teens
“A junior version of the AR-15 has no place in a kid’s toy box. America’s gun violence epidemic is claiming tens of thousands of lives each year as gunmakers, dealers, and vendors alike continue to put sales over safety by targeting kids with advertising of a deadly weapon,” said Senator Markey. “It’s shameful, irresponsible, and dangerous. The FTC must act immediately to prohibit the marketing of these weapons to children, a step that could save lives.”
Last week, Senators Markey, Durbin, Blumenthal, Padilla, Murphy, Duckworth and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) held a press conference urging the FTC to investigate WEE1 Tactical’s JR-15 marketing and advertising tactics. In May 2022, Senator Markey led 10 of his colleagues in writing to the FTC urging it to investigate WEE1 Tactical for these unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Specifically, the Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act would:
- Direct the FTC to promulgate a rule prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors;
- Require the FTC to report to Congress on enforcement of the rule;
- Authorize state attorneys general to bring actions for violations of the rule; and
- Establish a private right of action for individuals to bring actions for violation of the rule.
The Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act is endorsed by March For Our Lives, Violence Policy Center, Giffords, Brady, and Everytown.
“There’s no world in which deadly firearms manufacturers should advertise guns to children,” said Zeenat Yahya, Policy Director, March For Our Lives. “Unsecured access to guns has killed far too many children and young people over the years. The very idea that gun manufacturers want to take advantage of young people by targeting young people who aren’t even old enough to drive with ads that sell deadly weapons is sickening. While gun manufacturers profits soar, guns have become the leading cause of death for young people for the second year in a row. That isn’t a coincidence. It’s time for Congress to take a stand and defend young peoples’ lives against an immoral industry practice, and we’re pleased to stand with Senator Markey and our congressional partners in the introduction of this bill.”
“The gun industry’s deceptive and reckless marketing practices have real consequences: our nation’s gun violence epidemic is worsening while the gun industry’s profits soar. Promoting weapons to young people is especially heinous considering that guns are now the number one cause of death for children. We applaud Senator Markey for introducing the Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act to crack down on gunmakers’ irresponsible advertising targeting youth and urge the Senate and Congress to pass it swiftly,” said Adzi Vokhiwa, Federal Affairs Director, Giffords.
“Few Americans are aware that there is an ongoing, coordinated effort by the gun lobby and firearms industry targeting America’s children and teens. Imagine the public outcry if the alcohol or tobacco industries introduced child-friendly versions of their adult products. Senator Markey’s legislation is an important step forward to expose and halt the gun industry’s outrageous conduct,” said Josh Sugarmann, Executive Director, Violence Policy Center.
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