A large network of ads on Facebook and Instagram has surfaced, promoting "fuel filters" that serve a different purpose: they can be modified into gun silencers, which are heavily regulated in the United States. Despite Meta’s policies against advertising such items, a single network of over 100 Facebook pages has managed to bypass these restrictions, marketing these silencers at prices as low as $50.
Gun silencers, officially known as suppressors, are strictly controlled under federal law. Purchasing one requires a background check, fingerprinting, and a fee payable to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Additionally, while individuals can build their own suppressors, they must register with the ATF—information that these ads conveniently omit, potentially misleading buyers about the legal risks.
One of the ads features a spokesperson downplaying the legality of the product, claiming that a device without a hole on one end is not a suppressor. This erroneous statement adds to the confusion surrounding the legality of these items.
Most of the advertising content appears to be plagiarized from various YouTube videos made by firearms enthusiasts, indicating that the original creators of this footage may not be aware of its commercial use. Evidence shows that some ads include clips from videos that have since been removed by their creators.
In November 2023, the ATF issued warnings about products marketed as "solvent traps" to conceal their actual purpose as silencers, emphasizing that product function, rather than its name, determines its legality.
A detailed examination of over 2,800 ads revealed connections to a network of ecommerce websites that share code and IP addresses, many of which have been flagged by Google as phishing scams. Experts suggest that the operation behind these ads may be based in China, utilizing a drop-shipping model where products are purchased from cheaper retailers after a sale is made.
Despite Meta’s ban on weapon-related advertisements, enforcement has been notably inconsistent. Although some ads have been removed following complaints, many similar ads continue to surface in the Ad Library, indicating ongoing loopholes in the enforcement of advertising policies.
Authorities, including the US Department of Defense, have taken notice. Internal presentations highlighted that ads for these so-called fuel filters appeared on government computers at the Pentagon, suggesting that social media algorithms might be specifically targeting military personnel through detailed audience segmentation options.
While the legal use of silencers is increasing, the recent rise in gun-related crimes and incidents involving these devices, including a high-profile case related to a shooting in New York City, raises further questions about their proliferation through these social media platforms.
For more information regarding this issue, you can refer to the ATF’s open letter to federal firearms licensees and details about the Tech Transparency Project’s report on gun ads on social media.
