Media Contact: Georgia Seltzer, (202) 822-8200 x104, gseltzer@vpc.org

Campaign Research Notes – February 20, 2026

It’s Valentine’s Day. A day that the firearms industry urges its social media followers to let down their hair and publicly embrace their one true love: guns. Or more specifically, their guns. This past holiday’s new Instagram posts from gunmakers included a heart made of ammunition surrounding two Glock pistols, a mash note from KEL-TEC, an expression of love from an apparently anthropomorphic Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle, and a heartfelt expression of appreciation from a Springfield Armory assault pistol. And, while the industry works to “sell cute” on Valentine’s Day, back in the real world it’s just another day where its products wreak havoc and destroy lives.

Below are examples of 2026 Valentine’s Day Instagram posts from gun manufacturers.

A slideshow with additional examples from previous Valentine’s Days can be found here.

The Violence Policy Center is a national educational organization working to stop gun death and injury. Follow the VPC on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky.