Smith & Wesson, one of America’s most iconic gun makers, recently found itself in hot water when its Facebook account, active for 15 years, was suspended indefinitely. The suspension came under Facebook’s strict policies against promoting firearm sales—despite the company following the rules outlined for licensed gun retailers.
What Happened?
On November 22nd, Smith & Wesson’s Facebook account was suspended without prior warning. According to the company, the suspension was linked to posts that supposedly violated Facebook’s “ever-changing community guidelines on firearms.” The company claimed it had spent a lot of time and effort ensuring compliance but was still hit with penalties.
A screenshot shared by Smith & Wesson on the platform X (formerly Twitter) showed that three posts had been flagged throughout the year. While Meta, Facebook’s parent company, later reinstated the account and called the suspension a mistake, the situation highlights larger issues with consistency in content moderation policies for firearms-related businesses.
Turning to X and Elon Musk
After their suspension, Smith & Wesson took to X to address their 525,000 followers. The company thanked Elon Musk and the platform for supporting free speech and constitutional rights—particularly the 1st and 2nd Amendments. The company encouraged its 1.6 million Facebook followers to explore platforms that align with their values.
Their post on X stated:
“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… 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.”
The post went viral, racking up over 3.1 million views and thousands of comments, including one from Elon Musk himself:
“We restored the gun emoji and believe in the Constitution 🔫🔫.”
The Bigger Picture
Smith & Wesson isn’t alone in facing challenges on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This is part of a broader pattern of firearms-related content being flagged or banned outright. Licensed firearm dealers report posts being shadow-banned or outright removed, even when following Facebook’s guidelines for brick-and-mortar stores. Gun safety instructors and education programs face restrictions even though their content promotes responsible gun ownership rather than firearm sales. Even athletes in shooting sports, including Olympic competitors, have seen their accounts restricted, drawing criticism from conservative lawmakers and advocates for free speech.
Looking Ahead
Though Smith & Wesson’s Facebook account is back, their experience shows how much power social media platforms have over businesses and their ability to reach their communities. Whether you’re a gun maker, a dealer, or just an enthusiast, it’s important to understand the rules of these platforms or consider alternative spaces that respect your values and rights.