The unfathomable tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., has led to a major shift in public opinion on gun control legislation. It has also had a significant impact on firearm companies such as Smith & Wesson (SWHC +2.02%) and Sturm, Ruger (RGR +2.58%), which had already been slumping this month. While no additional gun control legislation is currently on the table in the U.S. Congress, if the assault weapons ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 were to be reinstated, it would significantly hurt revenue for these companies even further. In the following video, Motley Fool consumer goods analyst Blake Bos tells us whether investors should steer clear of this industry, or whether this low represents a lot of potential upside in the future.
Is It the Right Time to Invest in Firearms?
By Blake Bos – Dec 28, 2012 at 4:49PM
NASDAQ: SWBI
Smith & Wesson Brands

Market Cap
$439M
Today's Change
(2.02%) $0.20
Current Price
$10.09
Price as of October 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET
Guns have taken a major beating recently. Does that mean it's a good time to invest?
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