Rep. Vasquez Demands Social Media CEOs do More to Stop Illegal Gun Trafficking, Protect Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On October 21, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to the CEOs of Meta, Telegram, and Snapchat urging them to do more to stop New Mexican youth from being able to buy, sell, and trade weapons illegally over social media platforms and messaging apps. The letter also demands that these companies do more to address youth violence and illegal activities on their platforms.

"From Las Cruces to Albuquerque, I work directly with law enforcement agencies in New Mexico that continue to raise concerns about this issue and the link between social media and increasing juvenile crime," wrote Vasquez. "In my district, I continue to hear how your platforms, including Snapchat, are utilized to traffic firearms and deadly drugs, promote theft and criminal activity, facilitate cartel operations, and fuel a dangerous cycle of youth violence. Your failures have deadly consequences for my constituents."

Recent reporting has raised concern about social media companies allowing interactions that fuel youth violence and weapon and drug trafficking across the Southwest and New Mexico communities.

Read the full letter HERE.

This letter builds on Rep. Vasquez's work to hold social media companies accountable, combat cartels and prevent youth violence across New Mexico:

• Sending a letter to social media CEOs demanding that they take action to curb illegal gun sales and cyber bullying on their platforms. This letter was sent after local law enforcement officers flagged illegal gun sales and bullying on these platforms as a driver of youth violence in New Mexico communities.
• Cosponsoring the bipartisan Combating Cartels on Social Media Act to require DHS to develop and implement a national strategy to combat illicit recruitment of American citizens through social media.
• Introducing the No More Narcos Act to create a coordinated educational campaign led by the Department of Justice to teach middle and high school students within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border about the dangers of working with cartels.
• Cosponsoring Sammy's Law, a bipartisan bill to give parents more tools and protect kids on social media platforms.

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