APPLE and Google Removing and Blocking APPS that "facilitate the purchase of firearms"

Like so many before them and as expected, APPLE and Google are stepping right in line with the elevated liberal gun control agenda by removing and blocking gun-friendly apps on their platforms that “facilitate the purchase of firearms”.

They were already in line, but now they’ve implemented restrictions on firearms websites that facilitate gun buying and selling. Sites that provide such resources are now restricted from hosting applications on their platforms.

GunBroker is the first of what will likely be many website having their app removed. See their response below From GunBrokers Website

“In the past GunBroker.com has offered mobile app solutions for our customers. Recently, policy changes by Apple and Google have made it impossible for GunBroker.com to place our apps in their stores for distribution. This means that delivering the app to you is now more difficult or impossible. Information about the policy changes is available below.
Use the Responsive Web Site

As a result of these changes, we recommend that you use our responsive, mobile-friendly web site instead. The site is designed to work effectively on mobile devices including phones and tablets. New functionality is added to the website before being made available to any other platform. By using the web site on browsers such as Chrome, you have access to the most features and functions.
Adding to Your Phone Home Screen

We recommend that you add the GunBroker.com web site to your phones home screen. If you do not know how to do that, please take a look here for instructions on how to add a website to your phone home screen.

Apple / Iphone / Ipad

Unfortunately, Apple has removed our app from their store. They state that our app violates their guidelines. Here is what they told us:

“Apple has removed your App since it violates our guidelines. Specifically, this item:

1. Safety

When people install an app from the App Store, they want to feel confident that it’s safe to do so—that the app doesn’t contain upsetting or offensive content, won’t damage their device, and isn’t likely to cause physical harm from its use. We’ve outlined the major pitfalls below, but if you’re looking to shock and offend people, the App Store isn’t the right place for your app.

1.1 Objectionable Content

Apps should not include content that is offensive, insensitive, upsetting, intended to disgust, or in exceptionally poor taste. Examples of such content include:

1.1

1.2

1.3 Depictions that encourage illegal or reckless use of weapons and dangerous objects, or facilitate the purchase of firearms.”

Access to Apple’s complete guidelines are available here: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
Alternatives

We have looked at alternatives to the Apple App Store. Most of the options out there are not desirable. Many require you to make significant changes to your device to allow you to load apps that do not come from the play store to your device. Because of this, GunBroker has elected to not release their iOS App on any alternative platforms.

We recommend you access GunBroker.com using our mobile friendly, responsive web site that offers all of the latest features and functionality via your phone’s web browser.
Google / Android

Unfortunately, Google has removed our app from their store. They state that our app violates their guidelines. Here is what they told us:

“After review, GunBroker.com, com.gunbroker.android has been suspended and removed from Google Play due to a policy violation.

Issue: Violation of Dangerous Products policy

We don’t allow apps that facilitate the sale of explosives, firearms, ammunition or certain firearms accessories. We also don’t allow apps that provide instructions for the manufacture of explosives, firearms, ammunition, restricted firearm accessories, or other weapons.”
Alternatives

We have looked at alternatives to the Google Play Store. Most of the options out there are not desirable. Many require you to make significant changes to your device to allow you to load apps that do not come from the play store to your device.

We have found one alternative that offers a good service. This store is called Aptoide. We have placed our app in their store and it is available for download. In order to do this, you need to download their store app and install it. Once that is done you can install the GunBroker app from their store. If you need, you can search the store for the GunBroker app.

However, we recommend you access GunBroker.com using our mobile friendly, responsive web site that offers all of the latest features and functionality via your phone’s web browser.”

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There was a plan to develop an app for this website. Considering this issue, that app is now on hold until further notice.