Gun-related ads

[smitty22gunr]

I only ever see commercials for guns, ammo, and related gear on outdoor networks. Why never on the traditional networks? The number of gun owners in the US is huge, and yet the tv advertising spend seems so small. Weird.


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[kcofohio]

Probably because most networks are for gun control and not gun rights.

 

[danez71]

This article is 3 yrs old but should shed some light.


Also, local laws may play a part too.

For example, in CA, gun shops cant have pictures of guns on their building signage or in the windows where the public can see. I posted that law in a different thread somewhat recently.

 

[mikestone967]

Probably because most networks are for gun control and not gun rights.

Bingo! We have a winner!! [emoji12][emoji106]

 

[hso]

Why never on the traditional networks?

Because ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/Fox/etc all are Anti organizations (on a sliding scale, but still Anti). When you see one of them accept a Ruger or S&W add is when you know that they've decided to be even handed in their editorial policy.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Yeah, almost no mainstream network is going to allow ANY gun or ammo specific ads to be aired.

I think about the most "gun" related commercial you'll see is the Bass Pro ones around Christmas were they might show the gun counter for about a quarter of a second.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I rarely watch network television programming. However, if you watch other sources like satellite, Hulu, etc. you will see firearms commercials from Henry and Glock on a variety of channels.

The Henry commercials revolve around "American made," while Glock's commercials are about "Confidence," showing someone carrying a concealed Glock pistol.

 

[Twiki357]

I’ve seen a number of Henry advertisements on TV, mainly on Fox cable, but also during some sports related programing. There are also quite a few ads for Crossroads of the West gun shows on the local acb/cbs/nbc affiliates during the week preceding an Arizona show.

 

[P5 Guy]

No gun ads
And very little if any coverage of the olympic shooting events.

 

[2ifbyC]

I believe the comments thus far certainly have validity.

However, as I search my mind to the mid-fifties and early sixties, I cannot remember any TV ads for firearms. I do remember commercials for toy guns and greeny stickem caps but not those from major firearms manufacturers.

In fact I do not remember TV ever being a big venue for firearm sales. I yield to those that have a better memory than mine.

 

[Tirod]

Local TV ads feature the larger gun stores who can afford the costs, and there have been canned commercials from makers sponsored by them.

For the most part the crime dramas showcase the product good or bad. Unlike a new tablet or some other product included in the plot, Hollywood gleefully includes guns that have been horrible flops on the market. Guns are more prevalent on TV than in real life.

As for a national ad sponsoring the evening news tho, maybe not so much. You can't control the users who do the wrong thing with your product and you certainly do not want your product featured in an ad during the commercial break on the latest rampage. Would it have been in SIG's control to stop a network scheduling a MPX ad right after the Pulse nighclub shooting with the cops pointing to their weapon? Not good.

No, you avoid that - you don't give the networks the opportunity. As it turns out from the Wikileaks dump of DNC documents, the party was approving lead articles and even editing them before submission to the editor. No, the gun companies already have a good idea how biased the system is and they are NOT going to pay them to air their commercials while simultaneously stabbing them in the back.

Nope, no national ads. And for that matter, don't need them. We do quite well without them and it does help keep costs lower - or at least there is less justification for how high some are.

 

[Red Wind]

From 1955 through about 1980, I watched night time TV on a fairly consistent basis. I finally broke the habit, but looking back, even in those ancient times, I cannot remember gun commercials on the big three networks.

Plenty of westerns in prime time from about 1955 (Gunsmoke) through the 1960's. In fact westerns dominated for almost ten years.
Perhaps, not being into guns to much extent at the time, except for hunting, they were there and I just was not paying attention.

Maybe other graybeards here have a better memory about those long ago days, watching Perry Mason, Matt Dillon and the gang from Bonanza.

 

[armoredman]

I have seen and heard ads for manufacturers and gunshops in Tucson/southern AZ in the last 20 years, and have seen ads for Henry rifles on some programs recently, locally, but it's still pretty rare.

 

[Red Wind]

I will ask again. Does anyone, remember any gun commercials, at any time, on the MAJOR networks, between 1950 and today?

Thank you.

 

[armoredman]

On NATIONALLY televised shows, no, on network AFFILIATES, yes.

 

[Red Wind]

^ That seems to be the answer. Since National TV began in 1947. No firearms commercials.
Unless other information surfaces.

 

[jmr40]

Advertising on national TV is EXPENSIVE. Local TV advertising is much less expensive as are outdoor and other smaller specialty channels. Any manufacturer, selling any product spends advertising dollars carefully and they market it to the audience watching the program. You won't see advertising for feminine hygiene products on Monday Night Football. But you will see Ford, Chevy, and Dodge truck commercials along with all of the beer companies.

I think it is less that the networks don't want the money as it is gun manufacturers spending advertising money wisely. Although I'm sure that is at least a part of it. In the big picture all of the firearms manufacturers combined would be a small corporation compared to GM, Ford, IBM, Apple, etc. They can't afford to spend that kind of money advertising on National TV.

And there is no need. You almost NEVER see a commercial for Jeep Wranglers. Other Jeep products yes, but the Wrangler has no competition in that segment. They sell them faster than they can make them. The same is true of firearms. They can't keep them on shelves. Advertising is geared toward people who are already planning on buying a gun. The only decision is to buy Glock or Sig, Remington or Winchester. That need is met by advertising on programs only shooters are watching.