Bill Overview
Title: Accountability for Online Firearms Marketplaces Act of 2022
Description: This bill removes the federal liability protection that a provider of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) receives for content provided by third parties (sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection) if the provider operates an online firearms marketplace. Online firearms marketplace refers to an interactive computer service that (1) facilitates firearm-related transactions, (2) advertises or otherwise makes available proposals for transferring firearms, or (3) makes digital instructions for programming a three-dimensional printer to make a firearm.
Sponsors: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Target Audience
Population: People who engage in transactions through online firearms marketplaces
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The legislation impacts people who engage in buying or selling firearms online because it changes how online firearms marketplaces are governed.
- Those who rely on online platforms for private transactions of firearms may find their marketplaces changing operations due to the increased liability.
- People concerned with internet freedom and Section 230 may be interested or affected because the legislation modifies these protections for specific types of content.
Reasoning
- To simulate the impact of the policy, I considered various perspectives within the US population, such as online firearms marketplace users, gun owners, entrepreneurs, and advocates for internet freedom.
- The budget constraint indicates that direct impacts need to be cost-effective, potentially influencing the scale and intensity of the policy's rollout.
- Since the policy targets online transactions, I included people who are both directly engaged in this market and those indirectly affected, like traditional retailers or individuals concerned about digital freedoms.
- The impact duration and Cantril wellbeing scores reflect how individuals perceive changes over short and long terms, directly linked to both economic impact and societal shifts related to online regulation.
Simulated Interviews
IT professional (Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on online marketplaces to find rare firearms. Increased regulation might limit my access to these and raise costs.
- I understand the need for accountability, but this changes the rules mid-game. It may force platforms to shut down or operate differently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (New York)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might clamp down on my advertising revenues as platforms become cautious about what they allow.
- I fear this could have a chilling effect on innovation within online marketplaces.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retail gun store owner (Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this might redirect some online traffic back to physical shops like mine, but only if online transactions become harder.
- I'm cautiously optimistic, as long as my e-commerce isn't similarly affected by broader liability issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Policy analyst (California)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the precedent this sets for digital freedom and the role of platforms in policing content.
- While the intent might be good, poor implementation could stifle online expression and innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Law enforcement officer (Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make my job easier if it reduces the number of illegal transactions scrutinized online.
- Enforcing regulations on social media could lead to fewer platforms allowing gun sales, indirectly helping law enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Firearms safety instructor (Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Making online sales more accountable could lead to safer transactions.
- I'm hopeful this will encourage safe practices without massively infringing on rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Gun rights advocate (Colorado)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like an overreach that doesn't fully understand the online gun marketplace community.
- There are other ways to ensure safety without infringing on digital freedoms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired school teacher (North Carolina)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this policy makes it harder for firearms to land in the wrong hands, I'll support it.
- Safety regulations, especially in schools, are a pressing issue for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Hobbyist 3D printer (Utah)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- 3D printing and guns is a complex debate. This policy touches a nerve regarding freedom to innovate.
- I'm concerned about where the line is drawn and how it affects personal projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Online marketplace moderator (Michigan)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will likely increase my workload and responsibilities if platforms have to enforce stricter controls.
- I hope it prevents illegal sales without hampering general commerce too much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $9000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $11000000)
Year 3: $8500000 (Low: $6500000, High: $10500000)
Year 5: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $7500000 (Low: $5500000, High: $9500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill targets a specific niche within online commerce, which limits its broader economic impact.
- Balance between increased public safety and the operational viability of online marketplaces needs assessment.
- Potential legal challenges and resistance from digital platform operators who rely on Section 230 protections.