SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Monday, August 17th, Smith & Wesson CEO, Mark Smith issued a strong public statement condemning Congress’ witch hunt against the firearms industry and their continued attacks on the Second Amendment.
We are proud to stand with Smith & Wesson, the parent company of Gemtech Suppressors and a longstanding ASA sponsor, in defense of the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.
“Without them, your ability to exercise your Second Amendment rights would not functionally exist.”
It’s no secret that the firearms industry has been under attack by for some time by unscrupulous anti-gun factions who want to eradicate the Second Amendment entirely. We at the American Suppressor Association stand in solidarity with Smith & Wesson, Gemtech, and all of the lawful businesses that make up our industry. Without them, your ability to exercise your Second Amendment rights would not functionally exist.
– Knox Williams, President & Executive Director, ASA
“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. 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.
It is no surprise that the cities suffering most from violent crime are the very same cities that have promoted
irresponsible, soft-on-crime policies that often treat criminals as victims and victims as criminals. Many of
these same cities also maintain the strictest gun laws in the nation. But rather than confront the failure of
their policies, certain politicians have sought more laws restricting the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding
citizens, while simultaneously continuing to undermine our institutions of law and order. And to suppress the
truth, some now seek to prohibit firearm manufacturers and supporters of the 2nd Amendment from
advertising products in a manner designed to remind law-abiding citizens that they have a Constitutional
right to bear arms in defense of themselves and their families.
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.
We are proud of our 170-year history. We are proud of the commitment of our employees to making a
quality product. We are proud to provide law-abiding citizens and law enforcement – our customers – with
the tools to provide for their security and independence. We are proud of our responsible business
practices.
We will continue to work alongside law enforcement, community leaders and lawmakers who are genuinely
interested in creating safe neighborhoods. We will engage those who genuinely seek productive
discussions, not a means of scoring political points. We will continue informing law-abiding citizens that they
have a Constitutionally-protected right to defend themselves and their families. We will never back down in
our defense of the 2nd Amendment.”
– Mark Smith, CEO, Smith & Wesson Brands Inc.
About the American Suppressor Association
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor community. We exist for one reason and one reason only: to fight for pro-suppressor reform nationwide.
The ability of the American Suppressor Association to fight for pro-suppressor reform is tied directly to our ability to fundraise. Since the ASA’s formation in 2011, 3 states have legalized suppressor ownership and 19 states have legalized suppressor hunting. Much of this would not have happened without your support. Join us in the fight to help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors by becoming an ASA Member at www.ASAMember.com.