Facebook announced on Wednesday it will make changes to gun advertisements after advocacy groups and law enforcement addressed their concern for firearm advertising on the website.
Facebook said it will regulate sales of guns on its site and on its photo-sharing app Instagram, according to the New York Times. Minors will not be able to view pages that advertise firearms.
Groups such as Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America have been fighting for more restrictive gun policies at Starbucks, Facebook, Staples, and other large businesses, USA Today reported.
John Feinblatt, chairman of Majors Against Illegal Guns, talked about the danger of advertising guns on a social network.
"On the same site that people are sharing birthday parties and family reunions, there are photos of AK-47s," Feinblatt said. "This is not in the bowels of Facebook. This is upfront, center and easy to access."
Daniel Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said that Facebook's decision was not a huge win for gun control, according to the New York Times.
"I wouldn't even call this a meaningful first step," Gross said. "There's a simple solution here. Facebook should be prohibiting any post that advertises the unlicensed sale or transfer of firearms in the U.S."
Before the recent decision, Facebook only regulated paid ads and sponsored stories, which could not promote any weapons, USA Today reported. Images of weapons are usually allowed as long as the weapons are not pointed directly at the viewer.
Facebook will start deleting gun sale posts that are flagged by users, USA Today reported. Flags apply to posts that are against Facebook policy. Those who put up pages promoting gun sales will have to put gun sale information in their "About" section. While the changes focus on gun sales, they will also apply to the advertisement of other restricted items, such as alcohol and adult products.
Facebook spokesman Matt Steinfeld said the company's goal is to pay attention to the needs of all of its members while not placing restrictions on free speech, the New York Times reported.
"Our goal here is to balance people's interest in sharing things that they care about while making sure our community is a safe and responsible one," Steinfeld said.
