Smith & Wesson: "Politicians are to blame for the increase in violence"

Smith & Wesson CEO Mark Smith accused politicians and their media partners in a statement as being "the ones to blame for the surge in violence and lawlessness." This is his reaction after the House of Representatives subpoenaed his company to force them to provide information on arms sales.

On his Twitter account, Smith accused politicians of seeking "to avoid any responsibility" and criticizing their focus on pointing fingers at his company and other arms manufacturers.

Smith argued that "politicians supported prosecutors who refuse to hold criminals accountable for their actions," creating a state of "lawlessness."

In the statement, Smith & Wesson's CEO reflected that his guns have "never broken into a home; a Smith & Wesson firearm has never assaulted a woman out for a late-night run in the city" as they only use them for self-protection. "Citizens have the right to bear arms for their own defense and that of their families."

Why he was summoned

The House Oversight and Reform Committee subpoenaed Mark Smith after he refused to testify in the investigation of recent mass shootings.

The chairwoman of that committee requested Smith's presence because of the use of one of Smith & Wesson's guns in the July 4th shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

Carrying weapons prevents killings

More than 60 shootings in recent years were prevented by citizens legally carrying guns, despite the increase in the number of mass shootings in recent years.

It is the gun-free zones where most attacks occur, specifically 94 percent between 1950 and 2019.