Rigby falls foul of Meta over Facebook content

John Rigby and Co, one of the oldest gunmakers in the world, is the latest high-profile fieldsports business to be punished with social media restrictions. 

In August, it was reported that the gunmaker’s Facebook posts did not meet the social media site’s standards. Meta, the parent group of Facebook, suspended its page. A representative for Rigby told ST: “We are working with Meta to understand why the page has been restricted but are hopeful our unique gunmaking and adventure content will be back online soon.” 

The restriction is the latest in a series of bans against numerous other fieldsports organisations operating legitimate businesses. Those affected claim that social media platforms are “attacking our industry”. One survey found that 83% of shooting-based business encountered content removal and 59% had a temporary ban from Facebook or Instagram. 

Andy Norris, sporting sales manager for UK distributor Viking Arms, which uses both platforms, said: “The regulations put in place aren’t being monitored correctly and they haven’t got the ability to do it. Companies or gunshops that are legally selling firearms and ammunition are having their posts removed, even though they are a business and posts are within any legal requirements.”