White House welcomes Facebook move to block private gun sales

The Obama administration on Monday welcomed Facebook Inc’s move last week to prohibit users from using its services to coordinate person-to-person private sales of firearms.

“Obviously, we welcome steps from private entities like Facebook,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at a press briefing, following Facebook’s announcement on Friday.

Earnest would not comment on whether anyone in the administration had sought such a decision by Facebook, but he said some companies are interested in preventing individuals from circumventing background checks via Internet sales.