Buckeye Reporter

In recent years, big tech has expanded its control over public discourse, with platforms like YouTube and Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) imposing restrictions on firearms-related content.

This isn’t just about policy; it’s a perceived affront to First and Second Amendment rights. A notable example is McKenna Geer, a Paralympic shooter poised to represent Team USA in Paris.

McKenna’s story is inspirational. Born with congenital amyoplasia arthrogryposis, she has overcome significant obstacles to compete at the highest levels in shooting sports.

Instead of celebrating these triumphs, Meta chose to shadow-ban her for sharing sports-related content. Earlier this month, McKenna posted a photo on Instagram of the air rifle she uses to qualify for the Paralympic Games. Meta flagged the photo as violating its guidelines, placing her on a censorship list.

This shadow-banning is seen as an attempt to silence her voice and impact her sport. She is not just any athlete; she is a Paralympian who won a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games. The decision by Meta hinders McKenna from sharing her journey, engaging her fans, and attracting sponsors.

A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed from Tim Rupli of USA Shooting explained McKenna’s social media issues. He cited the CEO of USA Shooting, Kelly Reisdorf, who said, “By silencing an athlete’s voice, you infringe not only on their freedom of expression but subtly on their right to bear arms as well, as these platforms are critical for educating and sharing the legitimate and safe use of firearms in sport.”

McKenna is not alone in facing such censorship. Recently, Meta has taken similar actions against other athletes such as Team USA shotgun athlete Conner Prince. The Facebook page of the West Point Rifle Team at the U.S. Military Academy was “unpublished” by Meta for allegedly going against Community Standards.

On YouTube, Hickok45—a popular channel providing informative content on firearms—has faced repeated censorship. In 2016 and 2018, the channel was suspended due to violations against firearm content policies that prohibit content related to the sale or manufacture of firearms and accessories. Recently, all videos posted starting from June 18 were deleted by YouTube.

The censorship experienced by McKenna Geer, Hickok45, Conner Prince, and the West Point Rifle Team highlights what some see as a disturbing pattern among big-tech firms like Meta and Google. These companies have significant influence over public discourse but choose to exclude content related to Second Amendment rights.

Advocates argue that protecting rights requires standing up against ideological censorship related to firearms.

Republished with permission from NSSF.

"Keep and Bear Radio" podcast playlist

With host Dean Rieck

Become a member of Buckeye Firearms Association and support grassroots efforts to defend Second Amendment rights!