In early April Twitter froze GraniteGrok’s account. Tomorrow will be three weeks. Why? Reporting on a vote in New Zealand to ban Automatic weapons violates their Twitter Rules. So, we’re not allowed to publish real news on Twitter?
The Culprit: New Zealand Advances Weapons Ban on a vote of 119-1
The facts of the case are these.
- In New Zealand, gun ownership is a privilege, not a right.
- Police Minister Stuart Nash praised lawmakers Tuesday for restricting their constituents’ access to weapons that endanger public safety.
- A law is being rushed through to ban access to certain weapons.
- Lawmakers voted 119-1 to ban semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
- History tells us this will lead to other bans including pistols and perhaps even knives.
This, somehow, violates Twitter’s rules. Except when NPR reports it.
It's official: New Zealand Parliament voted Wednesday to ban most semi-automatic weapons.
The law comes less than a month after a gunman killed 50 people at a mosque in Christchurch. https://t.co/14eSSQO4G5
— NPR (@NPR) April 10, 2019
Or, the Associated Press.
New Zealand's government introduces a bill it plans to rush into law that would ban the weapons a gunman used to kill 50 people at 2 mosques. https://t.co/zxaGPunT7g
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 1, 2019
In fact, just about everyone else is allowed to report on the advance of a law to ban firearms in New Zealand, except me.
What gives Twitter? I post a report about a one-sided vote to ban firearms (of which I assume you approve), and you ban us for it?
Note: we have filed our appeal but it has fallen on deaf ears.
Editor: An earlier version of the post title referred to NHPR. It should be NPR.
