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eBay to Restrict Most Gun Parts
The massive online commerce Web site eBay has announced it is expanding its restrictions for the listing of gun-related items to include “any firearm part that is required for the firing of a gun,” effective mid-August.
The move is in apparent reaction to the shooting tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech earlier this year, after it was revealed that some of the items used by the killer might have been acquired on eBay.
In an announcement posted on eBay this past Monday, Matt Halprin, eBay’s Vice-President of Trust & Safety, revealed that restricted items will include "bullet tips, brass casings and shells, barrels, slides, cylinders, magazines, firing pins and trigger assemblies."
Specifically citing the Virginia Tech shooting rampage, Halprin wrote that eBay executives determined that the policy change was “the right thing to do.”
Though the popular Web site has never been known as being particularly “gun-friendly,” it was considered by many to be a good source of firearm replacement parts, magazines, accessories and hard-to-find items necessary for gun repair.
It’s a shame the eBay corporate suits and lawyers can’t see beyond their own apparent firearm prejudice to realize that their decision will do absolutely nothing to prevent some weapons from getting into the hands of deranged killers and criminals. Instead, it will only drive legitimate business and honest customers away from its company’s site, presumably to a more tolerant online site adhering to a decidedly logical interpretation of the Second Amendment.
I never cared much for e bay. If anyone is looking for some sites to sell gun related items try the following sites. www.ebang.com lol no joke. you can also try shotgunnews.com, www.gunbroker.com or www.auctionarms.com
Posted by: Viper | August 03, 2007 at 12:35 PM
I know for a fact that Home Depot has NOT stoped selling chain or imposed a five day waiting period for the purpose of buying chain just because the V. tech ass bought his chain to block exits from Home Depot. There is NO difference in product, just how the sick decide to use it.
Posted by: ron barnes | August 03, 2007 at 03:33 PM
With Ebay's line of reasoning being that something used in the V.T. masssacre came from ebay ie: gun parts/componets etc. then the culprit is not the stuff purchased but rather the computer,internet and company making the profit from those sales. Ban the internet, bankrupt Ebay the real criminals, stop selling those killer vehicles.
Posted by: John McKenney | August 03, 2007 at 09:18 PM
Dear Mr. Halprin
I am a loyal EBAYER as well as a firm believer in my second amendment rights. If indeed some of the items that were used in the VT massacre were from EBAY, I don't see why you punish us all. I was upset that the events happened as they did. I feel saddened by this and pray for all those who passed and their families.
I enjoy shopping on EBAY for parts to my relic guns. I have been a loyal EBAYER for almost seven years now. I will do my best to go to other web and auction sites and try not to be a supporter or Customer of EBAY any longer.
Do you think Ford or GM will recall all their automobiles when someone gets behind the wheel drunk and kills somebody? I don't think so. The person that was drunk or mental insane or disturbed is the killer not the automobile and certainly the gun parts sold on EBAY were not at fault here.
It is amazing what our government, and our society has done to our second amendments rights. You are just furthering the destruction of them by setting such examples. I think we could all make arguments with anything in the world that is deadly or potentially deadly and try to outlaw it. By going to such an extreme would you prohibit items on youe sites such as bats, cars off EBAY motors, pens, or anything that could be turned into a weapon? The simple fact is that the VT massacre is a tragedy. One that upset me very deeply. EBAY is not at fault. The selling of parts on your auction site is honest, helpful and enjoyable for I'm sure hundreds of thousands of your Customers. Now we are paying the price. Why would you do that to your Customers?
Posted by: Mike | August 11, 2007 at 12:09 AM
This is a GREAT opportunity for the NRA to start a similar (w/changes as necessary to avoid the lawyers) site that is HONEST (unlike eBay and Paypal) and has our best interests in mind. This is a perfect way for the NRA to earn huge amounts of money to fight for our rights as firearms owners and still offer lower rates than the crooks at eBay. This is a golden opportunity for all of us!
Posted by: Fred | August 17, 2007 at 08:39 AM