Families of victims from the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting sued Meta in May 2024, alleging Instagram allowed gun manufacturers to promote firearms to minors and failed to enforce its rules against such advertising. The lawsuit cites Daniel Defense posts showing an assault rifle with Santa Claus and a rifle in a kitchen captioned to normalize use, asserting those posts targeted minors. The complaint notes the Uvalde gunman opened a Daniel Defense account before turning 18, purchased the rifle when eligible, and frequently used Instagram. Meta argued plaintiffs provided no proof minors viewed the posts and that the posts lacked direct purchase links.
Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The families sued Meta in Los Angeles in May 2024, saying the social media platform failed to enforce its own rules forbidding firearms advertisements aimed at minors. The families, who were present at last month's hearing, did not appear in court, with a lawyer citing the back-to-school season. Many plaintiffs attended the hearing virtually, he said.
In one ad posted on Instagram, the Georgia-based gunmaker Daniel Defense shows Santa Claus holding an assault rifle. In another post by the same company, a rifle leans against a refrigerator, with the caption: "Let's normalize kitchen Daniels. What Daniels do you use to protect your kitchen and home?" The lawsuit alleges those posts are marketed toward minors. The Uvalde gunman opened an online account with Daniel Defense before his 18th birthday and purchased the rifle as soon as he could, according to the lawsuit.
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