OpenAI will tighten restrictions on ChatGPT’s responses to teenagers asking about firearms, including questions that appear harmless, as part of new measures to prevent violence.
In an October 30 announcement, the company said the limits would cover practical information about weapons and security systems that could be misused, even without indications of violent intent.
Existing policies already prohibit helping users plan violence or assisting teens in obtaining weapons. Minors can still seek help preventing violence and connecting with trusted adults.
OpenAI is also developing measures to automatically end chats showing a fixation on violence or seriously harming another person. Repeated incidents could result in temporary account pauses.
Restrictions for all users will limit detailed reconstructions of mass attacks, including information about weapons and equipment and how attackers obtained them.
The safeguards will begin rolling out in the coming weeks.
OpenAI said it made over 200 law enforcement referrals in the third quarter of 2026. It did not provide figures showing an increase in teens’ firearms questions.
The company will publish its first Community Safety Report in early 2027, covering the second half of 2026, with updates every six months.
The measures build on an age-prediction system used to determine whether an account likely belongs to someone under 18.
In a separate explanation, OpenAI said the system considers behavioral and account information, including account age, activity times, usage patterns and a user’s stated age.
Accounts identified as likely belonging to minors receive additional safeguards against content such as graphic violence, dangerous challenges and depictions of self-harm.
Adults incorrectly placed under teen restrictions can confirm their age through identity-verification service Persona and restore full access.
Parents can also use controls to set quiet hours, manage features such as memory and receive notifications when signs of acute distress are detected, according to the company.
