Guns Keep Popping up on Facebook Marketplace
This week, we talk about how people are still finding ways to buy and sell guns on Facebook.
Welcome to our weekly chat about the environmental and social issues that influence the way we work, spend our money and live our lives. We're your hosts, Dave Sebastian and Dieter Holger. Want to get our newsletter every Wednesday? Hit the subscribe button in the upper right corner and please share with your friends!
Hi, Dave. We probably both know someone who has used Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell stuff. Sales of guns aren’t allowed, but sellers keep finding workarounds that have caused a headache for the social media giant.
That’s right. Last year, The Wall Street Journal found gun sellers were advertising rifles and handguns on Facebook disguised as gun cases or empty boxes. This prompted a group of 15 Democratic senators to question Facebook on its policing of these sales. Now gun sellers are using a new tactic: They advertise stickers from gun makers like Remington and Ruger for sale, but are actually selling guns, the Journal reported.
This comes as Americans are buying guns in record numbers, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group. Facebook said it removed 1.3 million pieces of firearm-related content in the second quarter of this year. A spokeswoman for the social media firm said it removed the listings that were flagged in the Journal’s reporting and continues to investigate. We will see if this new discovery gets Washington's attention. Let’s turn to the stock market. What is the latest, Dave?
Many people have become day traders as the pandemic roiled markets earlier this year. The design and simplicity of apps like Robinhood Markets, eToro USA and Webull Financial make trading stocks easy and fun like a game, behavioral researchers told the Journal. Robinhood, for example, fills users’ screens with digital confetti when they make a trade and makes Netflix-style recommendations for stocks to buy. That is prompting inexperienced investors to take bigger risks, behavioral scientists say.
Robinhood’s COO said the app doesn’t encourage risky behavior or gamify trading stocks. With these apps attracting younger millennial users by the millions, it will be interesting to see how this evolves. Is there anything else you have your eye on?
Yes! New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has pledged to address inequities in rebuilding the city’s economy after the pandemic, but doing so will be a challenge. Black New Yorkers are underrepresented in dozens of industries and often paid a lot less than white people, according to a report by nonpartisan think tank Center for an Urban Future. The gap in median annual salaries between Black and white workers was more than $10,000 in almost two-thirds of 140 industries in the city, according to the report.
This disparity partly stems from a lack of certain educational credentials among people of color in the city, according to Jose Ortiz Jr., executive director of nonprofit New York City Employment and Training Coalition. We will keep an eye on Mr. de Blasio’s efforts. Now let’s open it up to our readers: How do you think Facebook should deal with illegal gun sellers on its site?
Share your thoughts below, email us or catch us on Twitter. Your words could appear in our next edition! Have a great week and remember to wash your hands. 👋
Meet the team:
Elevate the Conversation is produced by the editorial teams of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. Here's a little bit more about us, along with our contact information. We'd love to hear from you.
Dieter Holger, Reporter: I have a knack for uncovering values-based investing trends and I’m obsessed with spreadsheets and charts. I really enjoy ‘80s music, skateboarding and yoga (but I’m bad at both). dieter.holger@wsj.com @dieterholger
Maitane Sardon, Reporter: I have a passion for amplifying the voices of those at the center of stories. I love running on Barcelona’s beaches and binging on chocolate ice-cream to compensate (it’s all about balance). maitane.sardon@wsj.com @sardomaitane
Dave Sebastian, Reporter: I'm interested in covering the intersection of business and economic trends—and the people behind them. In my free time, I like to check out dim sum spots in New York, and I can't wait to venture out again after the pandemic. dave.sebastian@wsj.com @depsebastian
Catherine Lindsay, Editor: I like breaking down complex ideas and explaining them. On the weekend, you’ll find me wandering the city with my film camera at the ready. catherine.lindsay@wsj.com @CathsLindsay
Tammy Lian, Designer: As a visual producer, I'm always excited by the challenge of creative problem solving. In my spare time, you can usually find me taking care of my ever-growing collection of plants and drinking tea. tammy.lian@wsj.com @violian.tammy