Prohibited Illegal Weapons

Why This Rejection Happens

This code is broader than Code 702 (Firearms). It covers marketing for illegal knives (switchblades), explosives, weapon parts (bump stocks), and other regulated dangerous items. Carriers strictly prohibit the sale or promotion of these items on 10DLC.

• Selling butterfly knives, switchblades, or brass knuckles.
• Marketing fireworks or pyrotechnics.
• Promoting "Ghost Gun" kits or 3D printed weapon files.
• Self-defense items that are illegal in certain states (pepper spray, tasers).

Root Cause Analysis

Primary Triggers

• Blanket Bans: Items like "Ghost Guns" or certain knives are completely banned by carriers regardless of state legality due to safety liability.
• Accessory Overreach: Selling a "Tactical Knife" might trigger this if the product description mentions "combat" or illegal features.

Step-by-Step Remediation

Remove Prohibited Items

If you sell illegal knives or weapon parts, you cannot market them via SMS. Remove these products from the landing page you provided to TCR.

Clarify Legal Status

If you sell legal items (e.g., kitchen knives, hunting gear), ensure your campaign description clarifies this. "Selling culinary tools" is vastly different from "Selling combat blades."

Pre-Resubmission Checklist

• I confirm I am not selling prohibited weapons.
• My website does not feature images of illegal items on the homepage.

Risk Audit

Identify flagged inventory.

Need Classification Help?

Weapon regulations are complex. Let us help position your brand correctly.

What reviewers check for code 7009

Code 7009 is reported as "Prohibited Illegal Weapons". Carriers restrict or prohibit messaging that promotes the sale of firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, explosives and other weapons, and prohibit content about illegal weapons entirely. Reviewers check the brand vertical, website catalog and sample messages for weapon sales or promotion.

Where code 7009 comes from

Code 7009 is a campaign review reason code used to report a specific deficiency found during manual campaign vetting. CSPs surface it in the rejection notice alongside any other codes found in the same review, so check for companion codes before resubmitting. It is marked Critical: it describes content or a business model carriers do not permit, so the campaign cannot be approved until that content is removed, not just reworded.

Fix and verify before resubmitting

1. Remove promotional messages about firearms, ammunition, parts or weapons from the program.
2. Limit messaging to non-promotional account, order or event information if the business sells these products.
3. Make sure the website linked in messages does not lead directly to weapon sales pages.
4. State in the campaign description that no weapon promotion will be sent.
5. Consider toll-free or other channels only where the provider explicitly allows the content.
6. Resubmit with a note that references code 7009 (Prohibited Illegal Weapons) and lists each change made.

Sample resubmission note

Many CSPs let you add a note for the reviewer when you resubmit. A short, specific note shows what changed and speeds up the second review. Example for Northline Heating & Air:

Northline Heating & Air corrected the deficiency reported as code 7009 (Prohibited Illegal Weapons). Changes made: remove promotional messages about firearms, ammunition, parts or weapons from the program; limit messaging to non-promotional account, order or event information if the business sells these products; make sure the website linked in messages does not lead directly to weapon sales pages. All URLs, keywords and auto-replies were re-tested from an external network before this resubmission, and the campaign text now matches the live opt-in exactly.

Common mistakes that keep code 7009 coming back

• Sending sale announcements for ammunition or accessories.
• Linking to a storefront category of firearms in otherwise neutral messages.
• Describing a shooting range program with sale promotions mixed in.

Related rejection codes

• Code 7011: Prohibited Illegal Firearms
• Code 702: Prohibited Content: Firearms & Ammo
• Code 2131: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2128: Opt-in Form Missing HELP Instructions
• Code 2127: Verbal Script Missing STOP Instructions
• Code 2126: Opt-in Form Missing STOP Instructions

Frequently asked questions about code 7009

Can a shooting range or sporting goods store use 10DLC?

Often yes for non-promotional messages such as reservations, class schedules and order pickup, without promoting weapon sales.

Are knives and self-defense products covered by code 7009?

Carriers treat weapons broadly. Avoid promoting any product designed as a weapon.

Legal Disclaimer: Code 7009 involves federal and state weapon laws. Carriers maintain strict bans on dangerous items to ensure network safety.

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