(Yes, it’s possible. No, you don’t need to play dumb.)
If you're in the tactical space — gun shop, ammo supplier, blade maker, whatever — Meta has made it clear: no ads for weapons, weapon parts, or anything that enhances them.
But that doesn't mean you're shut out. You just need to get smarter with how you play the game.
Here’s how to actually run Meta ads without getting slapped.
What You 🚫Can’t Advertise (Don’t Even Try)🚫
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Guns and gun parts
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Ammo, reloading kits, explosives
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Paintball or BB guns
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Knives, pepper spray, stun guns
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Scopes, suppressors, and lights mounted on weapons
If it fires, slices, explodes, or attaches to something that does, Meta’s not letting you promote it directly.
What You Can Advertise (If You Do It Right)
You’re not banned from talking to the community — you’re banned from selling directly.
Here’s what you can promote when you target 18+:
🎯 Firearm safety or training courses
🎯 Blogs and educational videos (e.g., “Gun Safety at Home”)
🎯 Tactical apparel, safes, belts, slings — non-functional gear
🎯 Lead magnets (downloadable guides, free training, etc.)
Example:
Instead of “Buy this knife,” your ad says “Learn the 3 Rules of Knife Safety Every Collector Needs.”
They opt in.
Then they see the product. Clean and compliant.
Build the Funnel — Control the Sale
You’re never going to scale your brand inside Meta’s walls. You have to move people outside of the ad platform.
How?
- Use educational content to get the click
- Offer a freebie (PDF, checklist, training)
- Collect the email
- Sell via email, webinars, or your own site
Meta sees a safe, informative ad. You build a list and sell on your turf. Win-win.
Use This Checklist Before You Launch an Ad
Ask yourself:
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❌ Am I selling a weapon or anything that modifies it? → Don’t.
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✅ Am I educating, informing, or promoting training? → Yes.
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✅ Is my copy focused on lifestyle or safety, not product? → Good.
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✅ Is my targeting set to 18+ if needed? → Must be.
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✅ Am I collecting emails and owning the follow-up? → That’s how you win.
The Bottom Line
Meta’s not out to get you — they’re out to avoid lawsuits and controversy.
That’s fine. You just need to market smarter than the next guy.
Educate first. Sell second. Own your list.
And watch your brand grow while everyone else cries about their banned ads.