Amazon has quietly removed guns from James Bond promotional posters on Prime Video, including classics like “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball.” Pro-gun supporters and Bond fans are calling out the edit as absurd censorship, arguing it distorts the character and paves the way for more anti-firearm bias in entertainment.
Amazon is taking heat from gun rights advocates, film purists, and longtime fans after digitally scrubbing iconic firearms from James Bond movie posters on its Prime Video platform. The edits, which remove Bond’s signature Walther PPK from classic films like Goldfinger and Thunderball, were first noticed by media outlet Kotaku. The reaction has been swift, and critical.
Here’s all of them. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/Iv4LIhxM1F
— SpyHards – A Spy Movie Podcast (@SpyHards) October 3, 2025
For decades, the image of James Bond has been synonymous with the sleek suit, cool demeanor, and, yes, the ever-present handgun. It’s not just a prop. It’s a symbol of his role as a secret agent in dangerous situations where self-defense is crucial. Replacing that with empty hands or awkward poses strips away part of the character’s identity.
Digital Censorship Takes Aim at Firearms
Amazon, which acquired MGM and the Bond franchise in 2021 for $8.45 billion, hasn’t provided any official explanation for the altered posters. Industry experts speculate it’s an attempt to sanitize imagery to appeal to broader markets or advertisers, particularly in regions with stricter media regulations. But to many, this is just more of the same misguided effort to erase firearms from pop culture altogether.
Bond films are gritty, unapologetically thrilling spy adventures. Sanitizing them to fit a politically correct narrative not only rewrites history but disrespects the very essence of the franchise. It’s worth asking: if Bond can’t be shown holding a firearm, what other fictional heroes will be next?
Fans across social media are calling the changes “laughable,” “cowardly,” and “pointless.” And they have a point. These posters don’t promote violence. They reflect a genre built on espionage, danger, and survival. Taking away the firearm erodes the realism that made Bond an enduring icon.
From a self-defense and firearm safety perspective, portraying responsible firearm use in media can be educational. Trying to whitewash fictional depictions does little to promote real-world safety. In fact, it may hinder it by making lawful gun ownership seem taboo or shameful.
Safety Tip: Understanding how firearms are depicted in media is just as important as real-life education. Always seek reputable training and learn the difference between cinematic fiction and responsible firearm ownership.
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