This message is at odds with the best available scientific evidence which suggests that guns are rarely used for self-protection and that having a gun in the home increases risk of homicide, suicide and unintentional injury. It is therefore incumbent on gun manufacturers and gun sellers to be responsible when advertising their products. Filing on Deceptive Gun Advertising Petition Sponsored by seven public interest organizations, this petition challenges the FTC to issue an order prohibiting firearms' manufacturers from publishing deceptive advertisements which suggest to consumers that the purchase of a handgun for the home will increase the safety and security of the consumer and his or her family. The authors voice their concern that guns are rarely used for protection in the case of home invasion, and that bringing a gun into the home for self-protection will likely increase the risk of a homicide, suicide or unintentional injury occurring in the home. Its advertisements employ fear tactics to convince women that owning a firearm is their best option for self defense.
Women represent the latest untapped market for gun manufacturers to boost their sale of handguns.