Hickok45, briefly “terminated” from Youtube.
Our beloved tuber Hickok45 was booted off of Google+ and Youtube Wednesday for apparently violating corporate policy on firearm-related content.
The story is still developing but the old gunslinger posted on Facebook to provide a little more clarification on the sudden shutdown.
“Apparently, Google + is more sensitive about firearms related postings and such. I never use Google+ and did not even realize the videos were being posted over there, I guess,” wrote Hickok45 on Facebook.
Google bought the popular video-sharing channel in 2006 for $1.65 billion.
“I will keep you posted via Facebook here and the Hickok45andson channel. I have communicated with YouTube via email this morning, and hopefully, we’ll be able to get the channel back up soon,” continued Hickok45. “I had just posted a new video.”
We’ll keep you posted as more news develops.
But it should be noted that this may be a sign of things to come. Gun-grabbing sentiment runs rampant in corporate America and it may just be a matter of time before all our favorite platforms: Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram take a more aggressive anti-gun posture and shut off all gun-related content.
In fact, with respect to gun-related ads and the promotion of gun-related content, Facebook and Twitter have already put their foot down. As I wrote back in April of 2015, Twitter is discriminating against the gun community.
To quote from the Twitter policy directly, “Twitter prohibits the promotion of weapons and weapon accessories globally.” When GunsAmerica attempted to advertise aka promote our Twitter feed, we were promptly told that we couldn’t.
Facebook, likewise, states this when GunsAmerica attempts to boost or promote an article:
Your ad wasn’t approved because it promotes the sale of ammunition, firearms, paintball guns, BB guns, or other weapons, including knives, daggers, swords, bows, arrows, knuckle dusters, and nunchucks. Advertising the sale of weapons or leading to destinations where the business primarily focuses on the sale of weapons is not allowed.
Apparently, Twitter and Facebook are morally conflicted about the promotion of the Second Amendment on their platforms. They take issue with businesses that want folks to keep and bear arms for traditionally lawful purposes, like self-defense. Again, I believe their stance on the 2A is a slippery slope. And it wouldn’t surprise me if in the not too distant future — perhaps after another armed psycho slaughters innocents in a gun-free zone — these social media outlets begin to unilaterally censor those of us who are pro-2A. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
UPDATE: 1:06 p.m., The Hickok45 Youtube channel appears to be back online.
UPDATE: 1:26 p.m., We reached out to Hickok45 to see what triggered the shutdown. He declined to elaborate. But said, “We’re back up now.”
UPDATE: Hickok45 posted a video discussing the situation.
UPDATE: Friday, 8:03 p.m., EST. Apparently, the channel is down again!!!
Go visit the Hickok45 Youtube channel right now and tell me what you see. It looks like it’s down again. What is going on here?
We’ve reached out to Hickok45 once again to get the scoop on termination number two. We’ll keep you posted if/when we find out what the heck is going on here.
As of 9:54 PM MST-Hickock is back up on UTube-God bless America!
Fairly clear that pro2A folk and organizations like NRA and other Constitutional constituencies in the country need to form their own distribution networks. And perhaps vote regularly in local and state races to clearly establish representation of constitutional values in all levels of government. There is nothing that clarifies perspective faster than taking the revenue stream somewhere else. Honest journalism and free speech will return to the fore only when legacy and far left leaning venues are driven to the cellar of the market.
http://www.patriots1776.com/ It says a new a code. Where so i get it code?
The “Hichok 45 is up at 12:35, 22FEB16.
“Apparently, Google + is more sensitive about firearms related postings and such. I never use Google+ and did not even realize the videos were being posted over there, I guess,”
Yes, that sounds about right.
The cause: Youtube FORCES YOU to join google+ to be able to comment, etc.
Most people don’t even know they have a google+ page.
Google+ is like their version of facebook. They want to know who your friends are, what you are doing on a daily basis, where you go, etc.
……and if they can’t track you through google+, they don’t let you comment on youtube.
It’s a trick, they want everybody on their little social networking site, whether they want to be there, or not…doesn’t matter!
Why the ignorance against guns, all these anti gun pushers are only helping the criminals. That’s a fact.
YouTube is not censoring Hickok45. If they were, they would simply pull the plug on his and all other channels and state why they were doing it. This on again off again deal must be the result of a coordinated effort by one or more people to get Hickok suspended by flagging attacks. Someone is flagging Hickok videos multiple times until YouTube’s automated system shuts down the channel without notice to the owner. The owner of the channel is then forced to try to wade through YouTube bureaucracy to try to get a live person to turn the channel back on.
What a shameful way of doing business. YouTube/Google is making money off the work of people who have channels. Why would you treat the people who are earning you income so shabbily?
would have been nice if you just not told everyone how to get channel shutdown at least the ones who didn’t know you could do it that way. but then again may have not made any difference.
He’s not back on folks. They kicked him off. It’s time we stand up people. Our freedom is under major attack. Stand up. Stop saying Oh Well…. get involved now or there will be no tomorrow for our 2nd amendment.
@ 7:45 PM Central on the 9th he IS on. I do not know what is going on but he is on You Tube
If sites such as YouTube censor speech, the shouldn’t be permitted access to the Internet. After all, your ISP is a public utility.
Unfortunate. I found HICKOK45’s review highly useful when I purchased a pistol last Fall.
just heard about the problem. glad to hear your back on.
Well Hickock 45 seems to be off the YouTube air as of 8:50 pm est.
Well how long will it be before we create our own web service for those that support and defend the 2nd Amendment? Let’s start our own social media strictly for those that are NRA, CCL, etc., etc. members, business, advertisements and what not. Surely the millions of Americans that support and own guns would prefer a network that would allow us to flourish and spread our great accomplishments. What say ye! Don’t we deserve our own social network?
Yes we do!!
You just asked the same question I was going to ask. Whoever starts up a network like this is going to make a butt load of money. Motto mention a slap in the face to all the libtards out there.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA!! Lets call it “GUNTUBE”, just a thought.
I’ve read or seen something about a GUN network that is trying to go national? Something like a HSN except with weapons/ammo and some other related programs.
Its about time that the Law Abiding people in this country stand up for our rights and defend those who are like minded! Responsible firearms ownership is not only a culture ,in this country ,that defines who we are as Americans but a way of life for some. Manufacturers in the firearms industry build a product for Law Abiding Citizens not Criminals.People choose to harm others with whatever weapon they have available. At the recent attack in Las Vegas a Vehicle was used to injure and kill innocent people just like a knife or any other weapon could.We need to frequent those sites or businesses that support our freedoms whether its Firearms or any other Law Abiding practice.If you built the site we will come !!!!!
There is a site with videos for 2A lovers other than Y..tube go to full30 dot com
Great idea do it now ill support it
If customers of a bakery can sue to force the decorating of a same-sex wedding cake, it would seem the precedence has been set for you, Guns America, to successfully sue to allow your business presence and advertising on Twitter. Lawyer up and sue their butts. Their refusal is a violation of both the first and the fourteenth amendments.
I don’t Tweet and I don’t Facebook and I avoid Google whenever possible because those organizations are nesting sites for left wing loons so their policies reflect the loons prejudices. Google is simply a spy and data thief.
Then everyone should be writing google and facebook and letting them know what we feel about them and their anti-gun stance. Maybe someone needs to start a gun friendly social page and put these idiots out of business.
God, Guns, and Google made Amerika great. Trump will make Amerika great AGAIN!
Just checked with Youtube.com. This story is a hoax.
Youtube and Google have the same EULA so if it was good for one it was good for the other.
OK, but the Hoax only worked on those who do not know enough to check it out…..i.e., less than 1% of those who own guns.
really? Then why is his site down with a big red not saying google suspended him for repeat violations?
The fact that a rifle was not used a Sandy Hook has been left out! Hand guns was all that was found, the alleged rifle was found in his cars trunk! As a point I would like to make, I don’t think it happened at all.Another false flag operation by this corrupt regime!
Technically Sandy Hook was a hoax not a false flag. With a false flag, the event actually happens.
Wow, no one is coming for our guns. For forty plus years been hearing that bull_hit and its only used to sell guns and make gun manufacturers wealthy. Pass a background check buy a gun, I do and will and so can you.
The point is – what part of SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED – do politicians and other not understand???? Infringe is defined as “to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another” and “to wrongly limit or restrict.” Note the ‘in any way’. But so you understand the Constitution, shall not be infringed means NO LAWS, NO REGULATIONS, NO ORDER NOTHING CAN LEGALLY BE DONE TO INFRINGE THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN FROM OWNING AND BEARING ARMS.
That’s not true they (Democrats) can now take your guns away if they think that you are too old and you get a social security check for any little reason. Like if you are Republican or libertarian….
I belong to a tea party and my income refund checks were over three months for the years of
2012-2013-2014. I don’t know what’s all in the law and I’m sure that you hadn’t read all yourself.
Wake up people……..
But none of these sites will limit radical Islamic propaganda/recruiting sites.
If the Obama’s recent EO requiring ANYONE selling even 1 gun to be a dealer and spend the $500 to get their FFL is strictly implimented, this will effectively shut down the used gun market as most won’t spend the $500 to sell a $200 gun. It’s part of the dismal tide.
Really. Well you must not live in California. There are now workshops teaching people how to use the “firearm restraining order” to take people’s guns. All you need to do is say that you think you’re co-worker, in-law, ex, or whomever, could be a danger to themselves and others. Then BOOM, state police show up and take all your guns with no due process. But, they force you to go through a process to get them back.
The G in google is for govt. They are in cahoots.
RISE UP America!!!
Considering the amount of perversion that can be found on those services, it’s hard to believe they are upset over a little firearm discussion and promotion.
YouTube, for those who only have opinions about it, but have never seen it, has 1000s of videos on guns, gun reviews, gun history, and the opinions of gun experts. So, no one can claim they are anti-gun. In fact, Youtube has dozens of videos on how to build, assemble, even manufacture ARs. So, why not watch Youtube before expressing an opinion about it….or not watch just have an opinion anyway.
Indeed. You-tube is also plagued by social justice warriors who would also shut down the first amendment. It has been infiltrated by the worst our society tolerates unfortunately.
Bet you can’t name 1, bet you can’t even name 0. Maybe that Yeager gun who keeps doing the AR15 videos, Smooch who does the AR10 accessories videos., or maybe the girl who runs around in daisy dukes shooting an M60.
WillB, now you just sound dumb. “Can’t even name 0.”? Really? If you think about it, he already “named 0”.
Don’t leave a rifle leaning against a tree with a dog running loose.
— Unless the dog has passed a background check.
We spend too much time on “social media” as it is. If you are going to use it, remove anything that can serve to profile you…books, movies, class pictures, stuff about your family and hobbies, etc. Use a search engine like Duck, Duck Go or a tunneling service like TOR rather than searching with Google. Do your own research on ways to protect you and your family. Some people even refrain from making political statements that can be “misconstrued” by those using the Internet to profile. You know, it is illegal for the government to access your book
I recently deleted my FB account. While surfing @ 11 PM I made a replied in a comment to a picture. Within 10 minutes I had 3 emails from the EBCI AV dept. You tell me “big brother” isn’t watching!
Spot on mate. I deleted my account for same reason. A comment on a post earned me a warning so I saved them the trouble. Bugger FaceBook. Ps. “Zuckerberg in poo” is the most meaningful piece of artwork this century IMO 🙂
CENSORSHIP is alive and well. On Google, Guns America, Facebook, Ebay, and Youtube.
I watched his Youtube videos yesterday. I watched his Youtube videos the day before yesterday. Don’t use Facebook due to the identity theft problems. Never heard of Google videos. In this country, if you don’t like something quit whining and change the channel or at least quit whining, it’s annoying.
TIME TO BOYCOTT these worthless left leaning Obama sucking up companies and start a gunner channel! I never thought YouTube would be worthwhile and now I KNOW it isn’t. Nor is Google. Start boycotting right now – go to Yahoo and open an email account and send an email to GOOGLE to support the constitution!
All these social media sites do is make it easier for your spouse to cheat on you guys, happened to me and took me by complete suprise, Watch what you spouses are doing guys!
Trust me friend if she cheated this was not the first time and she did not need to use fb to do it. SHe just got tired of cheating locally probably almost got caught or did get caught so got sneaky about it. Its not the net’s fault its hers. And yours by the way. Something happened to make her step out on you amigo. THey don’t normally just do so unless you failed to do something or hurt her in some way. Best to you and no insult to you just stating a fact.
Dave, you know nothing about David Stephenson yet you speak to him as if you are an expert in relationships and have throughly review his exact case. Some women are ruthless to get their way and nothing else matters to them. I know of more than one marriage where the guy was a total class act but the wife left him and the kids to “go have fun”. Sickening. But so are people like you that make hurtful comments to guys that have experienced this and are told it’s their fault too.
Just proves once again that there is a coordinated effort behind the closed doors to restrict any and all firearms information.
CENSORSHIP is alive and well in America under the despotic ObaMaoism and his royal tyranny. To quote a famous Frendh revolutionist “Off with their heads”
If you own a firearm then you better wake up, step up and speak up. Vote for the 2nd Amendment and the entire U.S. Constitution by electing a Republican in November. The Democraps ARE intent on seizing all firearms so they can maintain their stranglehold on America under the false guise of ‘progress.’
Issue might one of free speech more than guns. When a comp[any cannot discriminate due to race, religion, etc then the question is whether they can discriminate due to media content. I guess they can do so as they are doing it. My advice is to record your desired videos while they are available.
Obama is getting what he wanted; control of our very lives. And the republican congress houses are not effective as they could be.
One thing government hates is the internet. Before it, it was very difficult to communicate with people. Now we can reach everyone in the world.
If you are correct, then I wonder why in the world the government developed and built the internet, ARPANET, and once it was fully developed for the military, offered it to the civilian population through the development of protocols/security measures via the legislature, in which Al Gore was instrumental in the process, (hence yes, Al Gore helped ‘invent’ the internet).
Was it maybe because they didn’t realize that citizens might be able to communicate with others all over the country/world with ease by offering to the citizenry the internet which they developed so the military could more easily communicate with entities all over the world..?
The govt has Google, FB, and Twitter by the balls. I knew this was happening when they let FB become a normally used thing in any GOVT office, including the Military. What better way to watch people then by how they post online?? Such a scam. All of these Social Media outlets are there to spy and continue to take away our rights as citizens, while our govt ignores things that really matter, such as Immigration. Wake up people, stop funding a corrupt govt.
This makes me quite proud of how poorly my YouTube videos do!
Hickock45 posted a video response to the situation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opy9K3j7ThE
Great! I’ll post it in the article.
It seems he’s been reinstated. All his videos are up again. What might have happened was that the anti gunners were flagging his videos so Google pulled his account.
Looks like our First Amendment rights are now in jeopardy, as well as our Second.
Yes Sir indeed
YouTube has restricted a video I posted, the problem is the SAME video was posted by a news paper & they never restricted their video!
I messaged them to see what was going on, they said that the reason they restricted mine was my comment on the video, I informed them that I had the evidence to backup everything I posted, and offered to send it to them.
Instead they insisted on censorship….
We need to use a different video site!!
It’s our our own fault. We have the power to shut these corporations down. they need us to survive . I refuse to let them control me. We all can make it without them as we have for many years.
I guess this opens the field up for new business investors out there?
Hey Donald how about a conservative alternative to the Far-Left wing media moguls?
Like a FOX like alternative that just ran over the top of the competition in short order?
“The Donald” and company could take both the White House and the internet by storm…..
News flash Google etc sold today to “Trump” enterprises at a huge loss or facebankruptcy.
“Trump children to take over all administration tasks run by IVANKA ENTERPRISES”
hahahahaha- how’s that sound folks-?
Then later “Today at the Trump shooting range here’s Ivanka testing the new AR bullpup on full auto”
Headlines 2023′ “Former Google owners on food-stamps in trailer park” hahah = “He who laugh last laughs best”.
Whoopsie guess those Patriotic American’s just weren’t that in to you guy’s and your socialist jackboot ideology.
Yours truly. – mtman2-
It’s not just firearms related channels and outlets, folks.
As digital media replaces the dead tree information sources, the Googles and Facebooks and Twitters are carrying forth the leftist, progressive agenda and bias. Meaning, the 1st Amendment is transient, arbitrary, and nearing extinction.
I know wealthy individuals who use the social media platforms for marketing non-defense, non-protection info products and services who have had their channels and pages shut down without warning…for no known reason except there was “a rule change”.
There is about as much transparency in the digital powers, as in the legislative and executive powers of our country.
Namely…miniscule.
If I were you I’d fire back at them and everyone else in the similar situation should. Sue there ass pick one first amendment ( speech), unfair discrimination , unfair business practices ( advertising). If a gay couple can sue over a cake then you all can and have a hell of a lot better case.
If I were you I’d fire back at them and everyone else in the similar situation should. Sue there ass pick one first amendment ( speech), unfair discrimination , unfair business practices ( advertising). If a gay couple can sue over a cake then you all can and have a hell of a lot better case.
Amazon & Ebay are the same way. Amazon was pressured by shareholders after Newtown to stop sellers from listing gun accessories. Our business took a huge hit when they began delisting our items that we’ve sold there for years. No warning, just policy violations. I didn’t know things like gun slings were so dangerous…
This Administration has made gun ownership into a form of “Scarlet Letter”ing and stigmatizing law abiding gun owners as ”nut cases”.
Amazon & eBay are where I buy most of my gun accessories….they have not restricted them as far as I can see…
He said that it was right after Sandy Hook, which is now over 3 years ago. They reversed them after the political turmoil fell down.
Hickok’s channel is now back up and running. Still, anyone who depends on income from a monetized YouTube channel: beware. This should be a wake up call to have a back up plan. Youtube can and will pull the plug on you without notice.
Don’t forget to drag your voting age kids to the polls. I found out that my 25 and 28 year old gkids never voted. I got them voter cards and promised them a carton of smokes or a play station game if my candidates win. They can’t wait to vote. No matter who wins it is all about supreme court nominations.
Wow.
Yea, Buy them kids Cigarettes and Video games. Way to choose such healthy choices for your kids. I should slap myself as I never would have thought to reward my kids with Cigarettes.
For real Rogue? We’re in a discussion here about Constitutional Rights and Personal Choice and you’re going to question someone else’s choice? While I might agree (or not) that tobacco might be an inappropriate enticement (while you also question whether video games are a good choice,) your remarks here are a potent illustration of what’s at stake in our country today. The fact is, what has happened in our country in the past 30 years regarding tobacco is an excellent illustration of what will happen to gun rights if we fail to properly defend them. Beginning pretty much in the airline industry, non-smoking sections were implemented by certain carriers as a business decision. Non-smoking sections were then mandated by regulation and today there is an outright ban. That trend has progressively been expanded to a point where, today, there is serious consideration in some communities of restricting one’s choice to consume tobacco IN THEIR OWN HOMES. Regardless of your personal view on the tobacco issue, it is a perfect illustration of the assault on personal choice in our society today. You may not like the tobacco analogy, but it still stands as a perfect illustration of the progressive erosion of freedom of choice in America. Fran’s grandchildren may not be making what you or someone else considers a good choice, but it IS, after all, THEIR choice. How Fran chooses to deal with THEIR decisions is HER choice.
Interesting analogy…..I had not thought of this before but it certainly holds true….
Google just killed any chance of my patronage of their social media.
I can’t believe this was on purpose because of his content. Hickok45’s channel is educational, and very mild compared to all of the stupid firearms related and girls shooting guns videos. Google has plenty of better targets that Hickok45. I suspect there is something more mundane involved. Let’s hope anyways. I will gladly dump YouTube for Hickok45!
Well Said Mike! I couldn’t agree more! Hickok45 does way more to educate gun owners as well as potential gun owners than any other channel. I’ll be dropping YouTube, Google, Facebook and all their other social media outlets like a wet newspaper. The fact that they would rather show stupid people doing stupid things with guns, yet drop someone who is working to educate folks says a lot about how American they really are. This is just the beginning of our freedom of speech being monitored and limited by corporate America.
F**K google. This man shows fun educational firearm videos. I have never commented on anything, but this really ticked me off, hopefully the situation gets remedied soon. HICKOK45 I am on your side!
This is why conservative are now flocking to sites like http://www.patriots1776.com fock Goolge fock Facebook.