Fact check: Facebook isn't removing users or posts that support the NRA
The claim: Facebook is removing people who support the NRA.
The general claim that Facebook is removing certain content — whether the Lord's Prayer or a photo of Rep. Rashida Tlaib being arrested — is not new.
This summer, several Facebook users posted a variation of that claim about support for the National Rifle Association, a U.S.-based gun education and advocacy group.
"Facebook said that if you support the NRA you will get kicked off," a post reads. "Well let's experiment. I Support the NRA how about you?"
Turns out, Facebook was not removing the Lord's Prayer or the photo of Tlaib. Where does it stand on posts backing the NRA?
The user behind the post quoted above, Lloyd Garreau, did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. His post, which went up July 18, and has over 86,000 shares, is still on Facebook. Other exact copies are, as well. That alone may indicate that Facebook is not removing NRA supporters' posts.
NRA backers are welcome on Facebook
Facebook has not removed users or posts backing the NRA from the platform, per Facebook spokesperson Brittany Uter.
Uter said the posts that claim otherwise are "not true" and confirmed that support for the NRA "does not violate our community standards."
A copy of the community standards does not mention the NRA.
Facebook does have a policy that forbids using the site for the purchase or exchange of weapons. Another policy prohibits posting "instructions on how to make or use weapons if there’s evidence of a goal to seriously injure or kill people."
The NRA itself has a page on Facebook.
A similar fact check from AFP found the claim to be false.
Our verdict: False
Based on our research, the claim that Facebook is removing users and posts that support the National Rifle Association is FALSE. Facebook confirmed it is not removing content that backs the organization.
Our fact-check sources:
National Rifle Association, About the NRA
Statement from Facebook Spokeswoman Brittany Uter
Facebook, Community Guidelines, Introduction
Facebook, Community Guidelines, Regulated Goods
Facebook, Community Guidelines, Violence and Incitement
Facebook, National Rifle Association, About
AFP, July 6, Facebook did not say it would remove NRA supporters
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Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Facebook is not removing NRA supporters
