Vasquez presses social media CEOs again over illegal gun sales, youth violence
Rep. Gabe Vasquez renewed demands for social media companies to address illegal gun trafficking and youth violence, citing law enforcement concerns in New Mexico.
New Mexico congressman says Meta, Telegram and Snapchat have failed to stop weapons trafficking and cartel recruitment despite earlier warnings
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is renewing pressure on three major social media companies to crack down on illegal gun trafficking, cartel recruitment and youth violence, arguing that their existing policies have failed to prevent criminal activity affecting communities across New Mexico.
In an Oct. 21 letter to the chief executives of Meta, Telegram and Snap Inc., the New Mexico Democrat said teenagers and young adults continue to use social media platforms and messaging applications to illegally buy, sell and trade firearms.
The letter follows similar demands Vasquez made to the companies in September 2025, when he raised concerns about illegal firearm sales, online bullying and violence involving minors.
“I write again to raise continued concerns about your companies' insufficient actions to protect teens and young adults, prevent illegal gun sales, and curb youth violence,” Vasquez wrote Wednesday.
The letter was addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel.
Vasquez said the companies have previously assured his office that their policies prohibit firearms transactions, but he argues those restrictions have not been effective.
“While you have all shared with my office that your policies do not allow the purchase, sale, or trade of weapons on any of your platforms, it is clear that these policies are not working,” he wrote.
Concerns stretch from Las Cruces to Albuquerque
Vasquez said law enforcement officials throughout New Mexico have repeatedly raised concerns about the role social media plays in illegal firearm sales, drug trafficking and juvenile crime.
“From Las Cruces to Albuquerque, I work directly with law enforcement agencies in New Mexico that continue to raise concerns about this issue and the link between social media and increasing juvenile crime,” he wrote.
“In my district, I continue to hear how your platforms, including Snapchat, are utilized to traffic firearms and deadly drugs, promote theft and criminal activity, facilitate cartel operations, and fuel a dangerous cycle of youth violence.”
Vasquez said foreign drug cartels are using social media to recruit teenagers to transport drugs and firearms or obtain weapons through theft and purchases made on behalf of prohibited buyers.
According to the congressman, the weapons can then be traded or sold through social media platforms and private messaging applications.
The letter cites an Oct. 3 investigation by The New York Times describing how high school students and young adults have used WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging services to facilitate weapons trafficking connected to Mexican cartels.
The reporting described participants creating and deleting group conversations, limiting personal information and admitting new members through referrals to avoid detection.
Vasquez argues those practices demonstrate the limitations of company policies that prohibit illegal transactions but fail to prevent them from occurring.
Earlier warnings followed Las Cruces mass shooting
The latest letter follows a similar appeal Vasquez sent in September 2025 after discussions with New Mexico law enforcement agencies.
In that correspondence, Vasquez specifically cited the March 21, 2025, mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces that killed three teenagers.
Four suspects were charged in connection with the shooting, including three minors. Vasquez wrote at the time that evidence suggested some of those involved may have been attempting to illegally sell firearms through social media.
He also said law enforcement officials had told him that stolen firearms recovered from crime scenes were frequently being sold through social media platforms.
The 2025 letter asked the companies to explain how they detect illegal firearm sales, prevent minors from obtaining weapons and notify law enforcement about suspicious transactions or credible threats.
Vasquez requested responses by Oct. 17, 2025.
His latest letter does not specify whether the companies answered those questions, although it acknowledges that they communicated their policies prohibiting firearms sales to his office.
Organ Mountain News
Congressman calls for stronger cooperation
Vasquez is urging the companies to work more closely with law enforcement agencies, community leaders and Congress to address illegal activity on their platforms.
“Your companies have the resources to do more to stop this,” he wrote. “I urge you to do more than promote ineffective policies and instead work directly with law enforcement, community leaders, and Congress to address these serious and deadly issues.”
Unlike his September 2025 correspondence, Wednesday's two-page letter does not include a list of specific questions or a deadline for the companies to respond.
The latest appeal builds on several legislative initiatives Vasquez has supported addressing online safety, cartel recruitment and youth violence.
He has cosponsored the bipartisan Combating Cartels on Social Media Act, which would direct the Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy to combat cartel recruitment through social media.
Vasquez also introduced the No More Narcos Act, which would establish a Justice Department-led educational campaign warning middle and high school students within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border about the dangers of working with criminal cartels.
He has additionally supported Sammy's Law, bipartisan legislation intended to give parents additional tools to protect children from harmful activity on social media platforms.
The Oct. 21 letter urges the companies to take additional steps but does not announce new legislation or enforcement action.
The allegations about trafficking activity on the platforms reflect concerns raised by Vasquez and law enforcement officials. The letter does not establish the extent of illegal transactions occurring on each service.
The congressman said he expects a prompt response and continued cooperation from the companies.
Read Vasquez's Oct. 21 letter to the social media CEOs.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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