Caught off guard, Etsy announced that it will ban the sale of gun parts from May 25

Etsy said that from May 25, 2021, it will no longer allow any gun parts or accessories attached to guns to be sold on its platform, and said that it attaches great importance to protecting the market and is working to balance policy enforcement with the various handmade products that sellers contribute to the market.

"I'm currently selling wooden gun grips in a category that Etsy has set up for them, " one seller wrote on Etsy . " And now Etsy thinks they 're banned under the new rules . If so, I need to find another place to list my items quickly. "

Etsy staff has responded to the post, confirming that the answer is true and that gun-related parts are no longer available for sale.

Many sellers are advising people affected by the new policy to download their listings, warning that they will disappear once the policy is enacted. One seller said it’s best to start saving information and photos of their products now and let customers know that their store will be moved or removed.

Some sellers who received Etsy notices said the "gun"-related items they sold were not "gun accessories."

There are cufflinks with shotgun caps and tie clips with a shotgun on them , but Etsy 's email already mentioned gun parts, and it is not possible to distinguish between actual weapon parts and decorative jewelry parts . Etsy still needs to make this distinction.

Another seller who designed and made a case for a 1911 pistol grip had Etsy carefully considering how to roll out the new policy:

Recently received an email stating that some listings for their products may be in violation of Etsy policies after May 25th . As a small shop that makes high quality products in the USA, I sell decorative pistol grips for 1911 pistols.

The products are decorative in nature and happen to be mounted on handguns . These products are currently in high demand with over 4000 of them currently on their store . And the type of handguns their grips fit on will now also not be part of any future assault weapons bans as the handguns themselves have a 7 round ammunition capacity.

Sellers said they hope Etsy will be careful with its new policies and do some research on them, as they will affect some successful small American businesses that are struggling to find their place.

Etsy

Prohibition of sale

firearms