Facebook on Wednesday announced it would regulate posts related to the sale of firearms.
The social networking site said in a blog post that it has received "specific" concerns about sale of firearms and that it faces a challenge in this regard.
"While we've recently heard specific concerns from people about offers for the private sales of firearms, this is one of many areas where we face a difficult challenge balancing individuals' desire to express themselves on our services, and recognizing that this speech may have consequences elsewhere," Facebook said in the post.
BBC reported that Facebook has been under pressure from lobbying groups to tighten policies related to such posts. According to Reuters the move may add fuel to the ongoing debate on gun control laws in the country that have intensified after spate of shootings in the recent years.
The new policies as posted by Facebook will be enforced in the coming weeks. Accordingly, users posting about the sale of firearms or any regulated commodity will have to restrict posts to individuals over 18 years. Content found violating the law and Facebook's policies will be removed, the post said, adding that the regulation was also being extended to Instagram.
"We will not permit people to post offers to sell regulated items that indicate a willingness to evade or help others evade the law. For example, private sellers of firearms in the U.S. will not be permitted to specify 'no background check required,' nor can they offer to transact across state lines without a licensed firearms dealer," Facebook said.
It was also stated in the post that Facebook worked with other individuals and organizations including New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Americans for Responsible Solutions, Sandy Hook Promise, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and Moms Demand Action to formulate its policies.
The move was not without reactions. According to USA Today, Facebook gun traders said in a petition with 8,900 signatures, "It's not OK to target only firearm enthusiasts for excessively restrictive rules,"
