Rep. Gabe Vasquez Demands Action from Social Media Giants to Stop Illegal Gun Sales, Protect New Mexico Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 17, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) called on the nation’s largest social media companies to take immediate steps to stop the sale of illegal firearms, curb youth violence, and protect the safety of children and families in New Mexico and across the country. Vasquez’s demand follows direct conversations with New Mexico law enforcement officers who raised serious concerns about the growing role of social media in fueling youth violence and the sale of illegal firearms to minors or other prohibited users.

In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, and Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Vasquez urged the companies to go beyond the bare minimum of simply following the letter of the law and go above and beyond to prevent bullying, violence, and the illegal sale of firearms to minors or other prohibited individuals.

“Our communities cannot wait any longer,” said Vasquez. “In New Mexico, we’ve seen the devastating consequences of what happens when children access illegal firearms online. No family should have to suffer the heartbreak of losing a child to preventable violence. Social media companies have a responsibility to do their part to keep kids safe by stopping illegal gun sales, stopping online bullying, and protecting our communities.”

In meetings with Vasquez this year, New Mexico law enforcement leaders repeatedly reported that guns purchased on social media platforms have contributed to gun-related violence. In March of this year, a mass shooting in Las Cruces claimed the lives of three teenagers. Of the four suspects charged, three were minors, and evidence suggests they were attempting to illegally sell firearms online.

In his letter, Vasquez pressed the CEOs on what their companies are doing to:

• Prevent the illegal sale of stolen firearms.
• Stop minors from purchasing firearms on their platforms.
• Improve detection and reporting of bullying, harassment, and violent threats.
• Strengthen partnerships with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.

For the full text of the letter, click here.

Vasquez remains committed to improving public safety through his work in Congress, including his bipartisan No More Narcos Act to protect students from cartels and his bipartisan Stop COYOTES Act to go after human traffickers and drug smugglers.

###