Meta banned firearms sales. Why are they still available on Facebook and Instagram?

A tech watchdog group reveals users can buy materials to build high-powered, automatic weapons in a few clicks

Guns, weapon parts and ammunition are widely available for sale on Facebook and Instagram, new research shows, as experts say Meta is not doing enough to stop deadly weapons getting into the wrong hands.

Meta policy since 2016 has banned the sale or use of weapons, ammunition or explosives" between individuals, including firearms parts". However, the study from Media Matters for America, a non-profit tech watchdog group, shows users of Instagram and Facebook can buy materials from unregulated sources to build high-powered, automatic weapons in just a few clicks.