Smith & Wesson thanks Elon Musk for X platform after Facebook suspends its account indefinitely



Iconic gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson said that Facebook suspended its account indefinitely and thanked Elon Musk for preserving free speech on the X platform.

The company posted a screenshot of the notice from Meta, the parent company of Facebook.

'We want to thank @elonmusk and @X for supporting free speech and our constitutional rights.'

"Despite our extensive efforts and resources spent on trying to adhere to Facebook’s ever-changing community guidelines on firearms, our account was suspended indefinitely on Friday, November 22nd, 15 years after its original creation," the company wrote.

The gunmaker said it was working to reinstate the account that had more than 1.6 million followers.

"In an era where free speech and the right to bear arms are under constant attack, we want to thank @elonmusk and @X for supporting free speech and our constitutional rights guaranteed by the 1st and 2nd Amendments," the company added.

Musk responded to the post.

"We restored the gun emoji and believe in the Constitution," he wrote with gun emojis added.

The 170-year-old gun manufacturer cited restrictive Democratic policies when it moved in 2023 from Massachusetts to Maryville, Tennessee. The president and CEO of the company said the move came with an investment of $125 million and the creation of 800 jobs.

Facebook had been accused of interfering in elections by selectively choosing with news articles would gain prominence on the popular social media platform. It has since then done away with the "news" section and moved away from promoting news articles at all.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Smith & Wesson pulls up stakes in blue state with worsening gun control laws, relocates to Tennessee



Smith & Wesson has been arming Americans for over 170 years. Although headquartered in Massachusetts since the mid-19th century, the gunmaker recently pulled up stakes and moved to a red state, citing constrictive Democrat gun control legislation.

On Saturday, the company celebrated the grand opening of its new $160 million, 650,000 square-foot home base in Maryville, Tennessee.

Smith & Wesson CEO Mark Smith told the thousands who gathered for the campus' opening ceremony and corresponding fall festival, "From where I stand, the next 170 years of Smith & Wesson are looking pretty good," adding, "It is something special here," reported the Daily Times.

Bryan Daniels, president and CEO of Blount Partnership, emphasized that the company's relocation would "positively change the lives of our citizens" for generations.

According to Daniels, the move comes with 800 jobs, the promise of a $125 million investment, and a commitment to offer a $25.97 sustained minimum wage.

Smith & Wesson spokesman Dave O'Connor told the Knoxville News Sentinel the company is looking to add at least 620 jobs as well as a company museum and retail space on the new campus.

The company announced the move from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Tennessee back in September 2021, making no secret of the reason why.

Mark Smith noted that Democratic gun control legislation "would prevent Smith & Wesson from manufacturing firearms that are legal in almost every state in America and that are safely used by tens of millions of law-abiding citizens every day exercising their Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights, protecting themselves and their families, and enjoying the shooting sports," reported WBZ-TV.

"While we are hopeful that this arbitrary and damaging legislation will be defeated in this session, these products made up over 60% of our revenue last year, and the unfortunate likelihood that such restrictions would be raised again led to a review of the best path forward for Smith & Wesson," added Smith.

Boston.com reported that Democratic lawmakers unveiled new legislation this month that would not only prohibit individuals from carrying guns into a person's home without their permission, but would require key gun components to be serialized and registered with the state. The bill would also bar law-abiding citizens from firing guns near homes as well as from carrying weapons in schools, polling places, and government buildings.

Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners' Action League said, "It's a train wreck. ... It's a complete re-write of the gun laws."

Massachusetts dropped nine points between 2016 and 2021 on the Cato Institute's "Freedom in the 50 States" index, such that it now sits at #30 in the union overall.

By Cato's estimation, "The Second Amendment is nearly a dead letter in Massachusetts: the state tries to make guns as expensive as possible (locking mandates; dealer licensing; license to purchase any gun, with safety training) and virtually prohibits carry in public."

Tennessee, by way of comparison, is ranked as the fourth most free state in the nation.

The National Rifle Association celebrated the move, telling Fox News Digital in a statement, "Congratulations to Smith & Wesson on their grand opening in Tennessee. This move is a testament to their enduring legacy, their commitment to firearm excellence, and to the importance of preserving America’s gun industry and Second Amendment rights in a fair environment."

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), also present at the ribbon cutting, said, "In Tennessee, we know that the Second Amendment is non-negotiable and are pleased to officially welcome Smith & Wesson to Maryville. Their significant investment in our state is a testament to our pro-business policies, and we look forward to their continued partnership to bolster our economic development and exceptionally skilled workforce."

Legendary Texan professional shooter Jerry Miculek, who is sponsored by the company, marked the occasion by setting an NRA World Record with six shots at seven feet in 1.88 seconds with a 9mm revolver.

Yesterday at Smith & Wesson\u2019s new headquarters in Tennessee, Jerry Miculek set the #NRA World Record for hitting six steel plates with a 9 mm revolver at seven yards after a 1.88-second run. Congratulations, Jerry! @Smith_WessonInc #shootingsports #CompetitiveShooting
— Shooting Sports USA (@Shooting Sports USA) 1696703408

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

FACT CHECK: Did Smith & Wesson Share An Instagram Post Featuring The Proud Boys Logo?

The logo is for Perce|eption Brand, not the Proud Boys

'We will never back down in our defense of the 2nd Amendment': Smith & Wesson president and CEO says politicians push policies that worsen crime problem then scapegoat gun manufacturers



Smith & Wesson president and CEO Mark Smith issued a statement in which he said that politicians who have denigrated the gun manufacturer have actually contributed to the nation's crime problem due to the policies that they support.

"A number of politicians and their lobbying partners in the media have recently sought to disparage Smith & Wesson. Some have had the audacity to suggest that after they have vilified, undermined, and defunded law enforcement for years, supported prosecutors who refuse to hold criminals accountable for their actions, overseen the decay of our country's mental health infrastructure, and generally promoted a culture of lawlessness, Smith & Wesson and other firearm manufacturers are somehow responsible for the crime wave that has predictably resulted from these destructive policies," the statement reads.

"But they are the ones to blame for the surge in violence and lawlessness, and they seek to avoid any responsibility for the crisis of violence they have created by attempting to shift the blame to Smith & Wesson, other firearm manufacturers and law-abiding gun owners," Smith continued.

\u201cAmid an unprecedented and unjustified attack on the firearm industry, Smith & Wesson President & CEO issues strong statement:\u201d
— Smith & Wesson Inc. (@Smith & Wesson Inc.) 1660579503

Many politicians remain staunch advocates for gun control measures — last month the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," though the bill will probably not advance through in the Senate.

While the term "gun violence" has become a commonplace expression, guns do not commit crimes, people do.

"To be clear, a Smith & Wesson firearm has never broken into a home; a Smith & Wesson firearm has never assaulted a woman out for a late-night run in the city; a Smith & Wesson firearm has never carjacked an unsuspecting driver stopped at a traffic light. Instead, Smith & Wesson provides these citizens with the means to protect themselves and their families," Smith declared.

"We will never back down in our defense of the 2nd Amendment," he concluded.

The Second Amendment of the Constitution states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

California judge rules shooting victims can sue Smith & Wesson



A San Diego judge ruled last week that the victims of a 2019 shooting in a California synagogue can sue Smith & Wesson, the gun manufacturer that made the weapon used in the assault, for damages.

Judge Kenneth Medel of the Superior Court for San Diego County rejected an argument made by Smith & Wesson claiming lawsuits are prohibited under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), Reuters reported.

The federal law is meant to provide protection to firearms manufacturers and retailers when their products are used in criminal activity. But in their June 2020 lawsuit, the plaintiffs argued that Smith & Wesson shouldn't be shielded by the regulation because it broke state law by designing the M&P15 rifle to be easily modified into an "assault weapon."

In his ruling, Medel agreed that the gunmaker's alleged misleading marketing violated California's unfair competition law.

According to Reuters, plaintiffs argued the company used marketing "that attracted impulsive young men with military complexes who were particularly likely to be attracted to the unique ability of AR-15 style weapons."

Plaintiffs noted the "M&P" in the name stands for "military and police," but argued the gun was largely sold to civilians, including the alleged shooter, then 19-year-old John Earnest.

Last month, Earnest, now 21, signed a conditional plea agreement that is now in the hands of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Earnest is accused of opening fire in a synagogue in Poway, California, in April 2019, killing one person and wounding three others. There were reportedly 54 people in the synagogue at the time of the shooting.

Earnest may still face the federal death penalty for his crimes, but plaintiffs in the Smith & Wesson case want punishment for his crimes to extend to the gun industry, as well.

"Today's judgment is a victory, and an important step on the road to justice for the victims of the shooting at Chabad of Poway Synagogue, and all Americans who believe that the gun industry is not above the law," said Jonathan Lowy, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, in a statement. "We look forward to proving our case in court, and working to prevent future tragedies."

The lawsuit reportedly seeks unspecified damages in addition to an injunction against Smith & Wesson requiring the gunmaker to cease its allegedly deceptive marketing campaigns.

TheBlaze reached out to Smith & Wesson seeking comment on the recent ruling but has not yet received a response.

Smith & Wesson Sues New Jersey

One of the country's largest gun manufacturers has filed a federal suit accusing the state of New Jersey of violating its First Amendment rights.

The post Smith & Wesson Sues New Jersey appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Smith & Wesson Stepping Up Production as Sales Soar 140 Percent

One of the nation's largest gun makers is ramping up production after a record-breaking first quarter in 2020.

The post Smith & Wesson Stepping Up Production as Sales Soar 140 Percent appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.