Smith & Wesson reversed its decline by introducing assault rifle and breaking gun safety pledge

During the Clinton years, gun maker Smith & Wesson pledged that any new firearms would not take a magazine holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and that dealers would be required to more aggressively apply background checks to buyers.

As a result, they faced a boycott by gun owners and their business suffered. During the Bush years, they went back on their pledge and introduced a new line of high-capacity pistols and their first-ever, assault-style rifle. It worked like a charm and they were soon selling more than 100,000 assault-style rifles a year and earning record revenues.

“In August 2012, James Holmes, a disturbed graduate student, allegedly opened fire on a crowded movie theater in Aurora, Colo., with a Smith & Wesson M&P15 assault-style rifle, killing 12 and injuring 58. The rifle was fitted with an ‘ultra-capacity’ magazine holding 100 rounds.”

What does the NRA think of Smith & Wesson? They gave S&M their “Golden Ring of Freedom” award, saying, “Smith & Wesson is a valued corporate partner in NRA’s fight to preserve the 2nd Amendment.”

I’d give them our “Merchant of Death Award” instead.

Smith & Wesson Broke Clinton-Era Gun Safety Pledge To Boost Profits.

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