Local AR-15 gun builder gets its YouTube channel back

YouTube reactivated the channel and videos for Apopka AR-15 builder Spike’s Tactical on Friday.

Spike’s Tactical videos are again accessible through the Googleowned video distribution platform, two days after the channel was terminated. Marketing director Kit Cope said YouTube did not explain the reinstatement.

“It popped back on right after the story hit Drudge Report,” he said in a text message, referring to the conservative news portal. “They didn’t send us any notification.”

Spike’s Tactical, and its viewers, lost access to the company’s online videos Tuesday in an apparent crackdown from YouTube on videos promoting and advertising firearms.

In a statement, YouTube said it has been updating its policies regarding firearm-related content to prohibit videos intending to sell firearms and some accessories or provide instructions on how to manufacturer or illegally modify guns. “While we’ve long prohibited the sale of firearms, we recently notified creators of updates we will be making around content promoting the sale or manufacture of firearms and their accessories, specifically, items like ammunition, gatling triggers, and drop-in auto sears,” said a statement from YouTube.

The move comes as several major corporations sever relationships with gun manufacturers and organizations in the wake of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 students and staff dead and injured 17 others.

Most of Spike’s Tactical’s videos promoted the company’s line of AR-15 semi-automatic weapons and accessories. It had not posted a new video since March 8.

YouTube’s action prompted some, such as gun-enthusiast website InRangeTV, to sign up to distribute videos through adult website Pornhub, according to social media posts from InRangeTV.

Spike’s Tactical won’t be turning to platforms such as Pornhub, Cope said.

“Running away to another lesser interface would be ineffectual,” he said. “We prefer to remain steadfast in our fight for our inalienable rights.”