Retired English teacher Greg Kinman has one of the most popular firearm-related YouTube channels in the world with more than 7.5 million subscribers. If that surprises you, it’s likely because you know Kinman as Hickok45, one of the hottest figures in the shooting sports since Annie Oakley.
On Tuesday, Kinman, joined on video by his son and business associate John, announced that a new YouTube policy is making up to 95 percent of Hickok45 videos inaccessible to his fans.
“Some of you may have seen that YouTube changed their policy on gun videos on June 18, and we were not aware how much that was going to affect us until very recently when we talked to our Google rep,” John Kinman said on the video. “And you may notice that our videos posted since June 18 have been removed.”
The reason, according to Kinman, is because his channel, as well as many other firearms related channels, is sponsored by gun companies or companies that make and market firearms accessories.
“Essentially the new policy that pertains to this video and what the problem is here is that all sponsorships from companies that are either firearms companies or companies that deal in firearms accessories are a complete violation of YouTube’s policy,” John said. “Any videos posted with sponsorships of that kind post June 18 will make your channel subject to being completely terminated. And any video before that is subject to the video itself being terminated.”
In fact, the new policy will make the vast majority of Hickok45 videos no longer available to the public.
“As you know, we’ve had sponsorships like that almost the entire time we have been doing this,” John said. “So, it pertains to probably 95% of our content. So, we are at the risk of losing everything and having to almost start from scratch. Hopefully, something can be done and we can figure out a way to keep rolling.”
Greg Kinman expressed dismay that YouTube would make such a big change after allowing such content since he started his YouTube career way back in 2007.
“All these things that were perfectly fine for what 15 to 20 years all of a sudden are horrible,” Greg said.
Greg also said that fans should make sure they are subscribed to Hickok45 Clips and Hickok45 Talk, along with the main channel.
“That may be the only way we have to communicate with you moving forward,” John said. “But we’ll see what happens. We’re trying to be optimistic. And we hope that we can keep giving you guys the content that you like to see.”
Of course, Hickok45 won’t be the only YouTube channel affected by the new policy, as many gun-related channels have industry sponsor. We’ll look at the widespread ramifications of the new rule in an upcoming follow-up story.
Rumble should focus on getting better so people will actually use it. It needs to be more than a place to go when you’re banished from YT.
what youtube constitutes as family friendly content and advertisers is wild considering i have gotten ads for all sorts of sexuality related stufff, not to mention any action movie is far more violent. there needs to be a reckoning on section 230. if YT is going to editorialize they can have liability too.
All these guntubers danced with the devil instead of promoting alternatives. Not sorry for any of them.
very hypocritical of YouTube. are the going to remove all of the movies they charge to see on YouTube TV that have guns in them?
I love how in 2024 people act like YouTube is the only video platform in the world.
People get what they deserve.
It’s not just about YT. Google (parent co. Alphabet) controls most all advertisement (man in the middle) and have been putting pressure on companies who might want to post commercials across all conservative web sites. Web sites were also using Fakebook, example Full30, Fakebook deplatformed, another advertising avenue dried up.
Here is a play on a movie quote; these bolsheviks are out there! They can’t be bargained with. They can’t be reasoned with. They don’t feel pity, or remorse! And they absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!
Why would anyone use or watch YouTube?
Stop feeding the beast.
Accessibility and availability. Essentially convenience and with that increasingly being removed for normal content there may be an increased shift to other platforms. Or people will remain in place so see what happens I guess.
Historical content. Music, cartoons and footage – from the earliest days to mid 60s.
Scott Adams has his podcast via Rumble studio every day and it works just fine. It’s simulcast to locals.com, youtube and X.
I don’t you tube.