Why no TV commercials?

tamworth · July 3rd, 2008, 02:45 PM

Is there some law restricting the advertisement of guns? I was watching TV last night and flashed a thought, "I wouldn't mind seeing a good Sig Sauer or Smith & Wesson TV commercial..." When you think about it, they could give a really good pro-2nd amendment viewpoint and inspire some of the audience who doesn't ever really think about guns. Of course I get the local channels in Ohio, no military channel or other specialized channels that as far as I know might already be airing such commercials... Any thoughts?

buckeyeLCPL · July 3rd, 2008, 02:48 PM

I know I have seen gun advertised on the Outdoor Network or whatever it is called now. Maybe on a couple of other channels while watching hunting shows too. So I don't think there is any legislation about it. Probably a choice by either the channels or the gun makers themselves.

pogo2 · July 3rd, 2008, 03:35 PM

I have heard gun stores advertise on local radio, and they will often mention a special deal on a particular brand and model of handgun. And there is quite a bit of print advertising of handguns and rifles in gun and hunting magazines.

I suspect the reason for lack of gun advertising on TV is just economics. TV ads are very expensive, and are generally dominated by large consumer products companies selling products appealing to a wide audience. Small manufacturers like gun companies have a "diffuse" market, made up of a small percent of the population who are scattered far and wide. It would be hard to reach them with TV ads economically. It is probably more effective to target them in media dedicated to their interests, such as gun magazines.

dukalmighty · July 3rd, 2008, 04:34 PM

They tend to advertise only during shows that target a specific audience like on the outdoor channels,thats why you don't see evinrude or mercury motors advertised during CSI miami

tamworth · July 3rd, 2008, 04:39 PM

ahhhh... forgot to factor in the demographic. Thanks for your time!

CajunChuck · July 3rd, 2008, 04:40 PM

Our local affiliate channels will run our Shooter type store commercials. I have seen one on almost every store we have around here more than once. Of course, I live in Louisiana AKA "Sportsman's Paradise" so we have a lot of hunters & fisherman in our area. I have never seen an official Glock or S&W commercial. Just on Outdoors channel and you tube.

Captain Crunch · July 3rd, 2008, 05:12 PM

Why no TV commercials?

The answer is obvious.

Surely you're aware that the Big 3 (ABC, NBC, CBS) occupy the far left position of the spectrum and are blatantly anti-gun. The network execs would sooner give up their bonuses and perks before they would accept advertising from the gun companies.

Unthinkable!

When was the last time you saw anything pro-gun aired on ABC, NBC, or CBS? Well, John Stossel on ABC is the lone exception.

I wouldn't count on seeing any Glock commercials on FOX, either.

luvmyglock · July 3rd, 2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch

Why no TV commercials?

The answer is obvious.

Surely you're aware that the Big 3 (ABC, NBC, CBS) occupy the far left position of the spectrum and are blatantly anti-gun. The network execs would sooner give up their bonuses and perks before they would accept advertising from the gun companies.

Unthinkable!

When was the last time you saw anything pro-gun aired on ABC, NBC, or CBS? Well, John Stossel on ABC is the lone exception.

I wouldn't count on seeing any Glock commercials on FOX, either.

+1 on this. Besides, do you have any idea how many people would see the evil handguns on the tv and break out in a cold sweat, start crying, and take cover in their bathtubs?...

bluelineman · July 4th, 2008, 05:03 PM

Personal Defense TV (Outdoor Channel) has all sorts of gun commercials. It's really cool seeing some of them. It's channel 606 on DirecTV.

Personal Defense Television

exactlymypoint · July 4th, 2008, 05:21 PM

For those of you old enough, were there gun commercials on the major networks back in the 50's and 60's? I don't think that even in a more friendly gun era there were any commercials.

July 3rd, 2008, 02:45 PM	#1
tamworth Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 67	Why no TV commercials? Is there some law restricting the advertisement of guns? I was watching TV last night and flashed a thought, "I wouldn't mind seeing a good Sig Sauer or Smith & Wesson TV commercial..." When you think about it, they could give a really good pro-2nd amendment viewpoint and inspire some of the audience who doesn't ever really think about guns. Of course I get the local channels in Ohio, no military channel or other specialized channels that as far as I know might already be airing such commercials... Any thoughts?

July 3rd, 2008, 02:48 PM	#2
buckeyeLCPL VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: displaced from Ohio Posts: 2,225	I know I have seen gun advertised on the Outdoor Network or whatever it is called now. Maybe on a couple of other channels while watching hunting shows too. So I don't think there is any legislation about it. Probably a choice by either the channels or the gun makers themselves. __________________ Fortes Fortuna Juvat We're mules lad. Mules that kill.

July 3rd, 2008, 03:35 PM	#3
pogo2 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,955	Radio and magazines I have heard gun stores advertise on local radio, and they will often mention a special deal on a particular brand and model of handgun. And there is quite a bit of print advertising of handguns and rifles in gun and hunting magazines. I suspect the reason for lack of gun advertising on TV is just economics. TV ads are very expensive, and are generally dominated by large consumer products companies selling products appealing to a wide audience. Small manufacturers like gun companies have a "diffuse" market, made up of a small percent of the population who are scattered far and wide. It would be hard to reach them with TV ads economically. It is probably more effective to target them in media dedicated to their interests, such as gun magazines. __________________ Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the Peoples' Liberty's Teeth." - George Washington

July 3rd, 2008, 04:34 PM	#4
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 2,713	They tend to advertise only during shows that target a specific audience like on the outdoor channels,thats why you don't see evinrude or mercury motors advertised during CSI miami __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

July 3rd, 2008, 05:12 PM	#7
Captain Crunch Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montana, The Treasure State Posts: 5,991	Why no TV commercials? The answer is obvious. Surely you're aware that the Big 3 (ABC, NBC, CBS) occupy the far left position of the spectrum and are blatantly anti-gun. The network execs would sooner give up their bonuses and perks before they would accept advertising from the gun companies. Unthinkable! When was the last time you saw anything pro-gun aired on ABC, NBC, or CBS? Well, John Stossel on ABC is the lone exception. I wouldn't count on seeing any Glock commercials on FOX, either. __________________ *Country First* *McCain ♦ Palin 08* Terry

July 3rd, 2008, 04:39 PM	#5
tamworth Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 67	ahhhh... forgot to factor in the demographic. Thanks for your time!

July 3rd, 2008, 04:40 PM	#6
CajunChuck Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 58	Our local affiliate channels will run our Shooter type store commercials. I have seen one on almost every store we have around here more than once. Of course, I live in Louisiana AKA "Sportsman's Paradise" so we have a lot of hunters & fisherman in our area. I have never seen an official Glock or S&W commercial. Just on Outdoors channel and you tube.

July 4th, 2008, 05:03 PM	#9
bluelineman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 826	Personal Defense TV (Outdoor Channel) has all sorts of gun commercials. It's really cool seeing some of them. It's channel 606 on DirecTV. Personal Defense Television __________________ Support the Wounded Troops Medal of Honor Recipients, Iraq

July 4th, 2008, 05:21 PM	#10
exactlymypoint Distinguished Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,235	For those of you old enough, were there gun commercials on the major networks back in the 50's and 60's? I don't think that even in a more friendly gun era there were any commercials. __________________ Let me explain. No. There is not time. Let me summarize. Doing my part to create a huge carbon footprint Be still, and know that I am God; Psalms 46:10 I am not by nature a humble man, sir, but circumstances sometimes require a change of habits - John Adams to Thomas Jefferson

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