A survey conducted by Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence revealed that at least 168 newspapers in 28 states do not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers.

Out of 995 surveyed newspapers, 168 (17%) do not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers, 116 (12%) take ads for rifles and shotguns only – no handguns, and 711 (71%) take all gun ads – rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

Individual results for each of the 28 states included in the survey are provided at the end of this article. The survey included all daily newspapers in each state covered by the survey.

The five states with the highest percentage of newspapers that do not take firearms advertisements from unlicensed sellers are:

1. Connecticut (64.7%)
2. Massachusetts (64.7%)
3. New Jersey (50%)
4. Florida (27.9%)
5. Indiana (23.9%)

The five states with the lowest percentage of newspapers that do not take firearms advertisements from unlicensed sellers are:

24. Texas (6.0%)
25. Georgia (0%)
26. Minnesota (0%)
27. Oregon (0%)
28. Utah (0%)

Iowa ranked No. 6 at 23.7%. Nine of Iowa’s 38 daily newspapers do not take firearms advertisements from unlicensed sellers: The Hawk Eye (Burlington), The Daily Times Herald (Carroll), Daily Iowegian (Centerville), Chronicle Times (Cherokee), Clinton Herald, Telegraph Herald (Dubuque), Daily Sentinel (Le Mars), Daily Register (Oelwein), and Cedar Valley Daily Times (Vinton). The Hawk Eye, Daily Iowegian, Telegraph Herald, and Daily Sentinel changed their firearms advertising policy after being contacted by IPGV.

Regarding the survey findings, John Johnson, executive director of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence said, “There is a demand for guns by persons who cannot buy them from licensed firearms dealers because they cannot pass a criminal background check or they are too young. This survey shows that many newspaper publishers recognize the concern with the unregulated sale of firearms through the classifieds and have taken steps to prevent their newspaper from being used as a marketplace for illegal gun transfers.”

The newspaper survey was conducted for the Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole, a project of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence. The campaign asks newspapers to restrict firearms advertisements to licensed firearms dealers only and to not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. Since the campaign was launched, at least 33 newspapers with a combined circulation of 7.2 million have changed their firearms advertising policies. Fifteen of the changes have occurred in 2005 as a result of statewide campaigns in Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Statewide campaigns are currently underway in 8 other states: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin. The campaign’s goal is contact daily newspapers in all 50 states (approximately 1,500 newspapers). Based on the results from Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska, the campaign expects at least 100 newspapers across the country will change their firearms advertising policy.

The newspaper surveys were conducted by IPGV staff between April and August, 2005. IPGV called the classified department of each newspaper as a potential advertiser using the following script.

CALLER: “I have a couple of guns I want to sell, a 12 gauge shotgun and a 9mm handgun. I was wondering if I could place a classified ad for them in your newspaper?”

If the classified agent responded that the newspaper would take the ad, then the caller verified that the seller did not have to be a licensed firearms dealer with the following.

CALLER: “So I don’t have to be a licensed firearms dealer?”

Based on the classified agent’s response, newspapers were classified as follows:
1a. Does not take classified ads for guns from anyone.
1b. Does not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers. Accepts gun ads from licensed firearms dealers.
2a. Takes ads for rifles and shotguns only – no handguns.
2b. Takes ads for rifles and shotguns from unlicensed sellers. Accepts ads for handguns from licensed firearms dealers.
3. Takes all gun ads – rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

Classified agents often had interesting responses to our inquiry. Many of the agent responses indicated that the newspaper was not knowledgeable of applicable federal and state laws regarding the sale of firearms, or showed a lack of concern regarding the sale of firearms. Following are some examples.

“We don’t require one (a dealer’s license to advertise guns in the classifieds); I don’t know what the law requires.” – Denton Record Chronicle, Denton, TX

“I don’t know. Someone can call us and place a gun ad. We don’t ask any further questions.” – Fort Worth Star Telegram, Fort Worth, TX

“We’re not responsible for anything. That’s between you and the buyer.” – Palatka Daily News, Palatka, FL

“Because the liability isn’t on us at all” – The Wellsville Daily Reporter, Wellsville, NY

“It’s just like any other item.” – Jacksonville Daily Progress, Jacksonville, TX

“We can list it. We don’t have any rules, which is a bit weird.” – Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA

However, some newspapers were aware of the concern with the unregulated sale of firearms sales through the classifieds.

“Oh, that doesn’t sound like a very good idea, I think you should take them to a gun shop.” – Edinburg Daily Review, Edinburg, TX (newspapers does not take classified ads for guns from unlicensed sellers)

Evidently, some newspapers are aware of the Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole.