Smith & Wesson, one of America’s most iconic firearm manufacturers, recently found itself at the center of a heated debate over social media censorship. After 15 years of maintaining a robust presence on Facebook, the company’s page was abruptly suspended on November 22, 2024, allegedly due to violations of Facebook’s firearm content policies.
The Suspension & Backlash
According to Smith & Wesson, their Facebook account, which had garnered a following of over 1.6 million users, was suspended without warning. The platform cited posts promoting firearms sales as the reason, even though Smith & Wesson adhered to Facebook’s guidelines for licensed retailers. This suspension, though later reversed and labeled a “mistake” by Meta, underscores what many in the firearms community perceive as a systematic bias against gun-related content on major platforms.
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 on Friday, November 22nd, 15 years after its original creation.
In an era where free speech and the right to… pic.twitter.com/cJkIni54kV
— Smith & Wesson Inc. (@Smith_WessonInc) November 27, 2024
In response, Smith & Wesson took to Elon Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), to express frustration and gratitude. Their post read:
“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 guaranteed by the 1st and 2nd Amendments.”
The post gained significant traction, with over 3.1 million views and a reply from Elon Musk himself, reaffirming his platform’s commitment to constitutional freedoms:
“We restored the gun emoji and believe in the Constitution .”
A Broader Pattern of Censorship
Smith & Wesson’s suspension is not an isolated incident. Gun-related content creators, manufacturers, and advocates have faced mounting restrictions on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Policies often target posts featuring firearm education, safety, and even sports competitions, leaving users to question the platforms’ consistency and intent.
AmmoLand News, America’s oldest pro-gun news organization and publication, has similarly faced heavy-handed content moderation. Its Facebook page remains severely restricted, with posts routinely flagged as promoting “weapons, violence, or dangerous content.” This has rendered the page virtually inaccessible to its audience, highlighting the challenges gun-related businesses and communities face on these platforms.
Embracing Alternative Platforms
Smith & Wesson’s decision to encourage followers to explore alternative platforms like X reflects a growing shift within the firearms community. Platforms that respect free speech and constitutional rights are gaining traction as users “vote with their feet” in response to perceived censorship.
Elon Musk’s X has emerged as a haven for free speech, allowing gun-related content to thrive without the fear of bans or shadowbans. The platform’s reinstatement of the gun emoji, which had been replaced by a water gun under previous ownership, symbolizes this commitment.
Economic & Cultural Implications
This trend is more than preserving gun rights—it’s also about protecting a vibrant and growing communitys. The firearms industry contributed over $70 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, and the cultural significance of firearms extends far beyond politics. From hunting traditions to competitive shooting, firearms are deeply ingrained in American life.
By sidelining gun-related content, platforms like Facebook risk alienating a significant segment of their user base. The firearms community, which continues to grow amid increasing gun ownership nationwide, represents a valuable market for advertisers and tech companies alike.
Keep Fighting
Smith & Wesson’s experience highlights the need for businesses and individuals to remain vigilant against Big Tech’s encroachment on constitutional freedoms. While their Facebook account has been restored, the suspension serves as a wake-up call for the 2A community to diversify its online presence and support platforms that align with its values.
As the firearms debate rages on, one thing is clear: the fight for free speech and the right to bear arms extends far beyond courtrooms and legislatures—it’s being waged in the digital public square.
Help Us Break Through the Big-Tech Anti-Gun Filters, WhiteList AmmoLand News ~ VIDEO
The shop I work at had our account suspended for 3652 days because we showed pictures of our inventory.
I would love to see Elon Musk buy Facebook and You Tube and fire all the Marxist POS that censor conservatives and gun content on thier sites .
There is a way to fight back against companies like Meta. Everyone says these are private companies. I disagree. They all trade on the New York stock market, making them publicly owned companies. As far as I know, being publicly traded companies, they cannot enact discriminatory policies of any kind. If anyone can back this up, please respond.
Facebook does NOT care about what is right and wrong, just what is WOKE!!!!
We know their has been a war against conservative values from the media for quite a long time now. The fact that they persist is not surprising but I am glad to see that we are finally fighting back and making headway with our own media that tells the truth about guns and calls out the lies from the left and allows free speech.
Newsmax obtained a record for most viewers on one of its shows and out did all the main stream media over the Thanksgiving day holidays.
The Carpenters: We’ve only just begun!
I believe it was last year, S&W’s voting share holders, took a vote as to whether or not to continue making scary black rifles. As I recall, 60 some percent of those voting shareholders, voted in favor of continuing to make the AR15, or as S&W calls theirs, the M&P 15.
Just one more reason why i DO NOT, WILL NOT, EVER BELONG TO FACE BOOK