Stefan Mileschin

Google has decided that the dubious interpretation within the US constitution which some claimed gives them the right to own enough fire power to take on China, is pretty rubbish.

The Constitution gave Americans the right to keep and bear arms, which was effectively giving them the right to form a militia. At the time that was the prototype of an army however that is now being seen as the right to shoot anyone who comes onto your property, which has increased the insurance premiums for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Now Google has banned gun sales from its new shopping platform - which has miffed those who like the idea of shooting burglars in the back as they are running away.

Google made the change when it transformed its "product search," which had consisted of free listings, into "Google Shopping," which has paid listings.

Under its shopping service, Google "doesn't allow the promotion of weapons or devices designed to cause serious harm or injury".

This means that "guns, gun parts or hardware, ammunition, bombs, knives, throwing stars, and brass knuckles" are all banned. No one would have probably cared, but the ban was noticed by a site called Outdoor Hub, dedicated to "outdoor enthusiasts".

The site's owner Edward Pierz said Google "censors" firearm searches, and linked to a petition to "Tell Google not to interfere with our 2nd amendment rights".

He said that if people want to buy a gun they are required to do a background check and use a federal firearms licence, even if you buy it online or through a gun shop.

The site claims that the new policy will disable many law abiding citizens from acquiring legal weapons for legitimate purposes at reasonable prices, and hurt small business income because they can't advertise online.

Of course the National Rifle Association waded into Google for adopting a new and discriminatory policy with respect to the advertising of firearms, ammunition and related products.

It insisted that it was a "political statement" by Google at a time when most other large online retailers and search services are increasing the level of information they provide and the number of gun-related products they offer for sale.

But Daniel Vice, senior attorney at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said that the internet was a brilliant way of selling dangerous weapons without background checks.

Vice pointed out that a study by Mayors Against Illegal Guns showed 62 percent of online gun sellers were willing to sell weapons to people who could not pass a background check.

http://news.techeye.net/internet/goo...t-to-bear-arms