Smith & Wesson's CEO is faulting "politicians and their lobbying companions within the media" for elevated gun violence throughout the U.S., saying weapons producers are being unfairly blamed.
The written feedback by Mark Smith, posted Monday in a assertion on the corporate's web site, got here weeks after the manager refused to testify earlier than the Home Oversight Committee, which is investigating the firearms business within the wake of a number of mass shootings. The panel started its probe in late Could after a complete of 31 individuals died in mass shootings at a grocery retailer in Buffalo, New York, and an elementary college in Uvalde, Texas, inside a two-week interval.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D.-N.Y., the panel's chair, has subpoenaed Smith & Wesson for details about the manufacture, sale and advertising of the military-style semi-automatic rifles used within the shootings.
Smith & Wesson and 4 different gunmakers have generated greater than $1 billion in income from promoting such firearms to civilians over the previous decade, the panel discovered, citing knowledge supplied by producers.
However Smith sought to painting lawmakers and journalists as liable for gun deaths. "They're those responsible for the surge in violence and lawlessness, and so they search to keep away from any accountability for the disaster of violence they've created," he wrote.
"We are going to by no means again down in our protection of the Second Modification," Smith declared in his assertion, which was additionally posted in full by the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation on its web site.
"Dodge accountability"
The chief's phrases drew a powerful rebuke from Maloney.
"It's unconscionable that Smith & Wesson continues to be refusing to take accountability for promoting the assault weapons used to bloodbath Individuals. Clearly, Smith & Wesson will do something to guard the big income it collects promoting lethal assault weapons," Maloney acknowledged on Thursday in an e mail to CBS MoneyWatch. "The committee won't allow Smith & Wesson to dodge accountability or obscure the gun business's position in fueling our nation's gun violence epidemic."
A latest report by the U.S. Congress Joint Financial Committee discovered gun violence victims and their households pay greater than $1 billion a 12 months in medical prices.
Smith & Wesson didn't reply to a request for remark.
The corporate in June reported internet earnings of $36.1 million on gross sales of $181.3 million for the fourth quarter and income of $194.5 million on gross sales of $864.1 million for fiscal 2022. Smith & Wesson shares are down roughly 14% on the 12 months.