Smith & Wesson Thanks Elon Musk for Supporting Free Speech After Facebook Suspension

Following the suspension of its Facebook account, gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson expressed gratitude to Elon Musk and X for their commitment to free speech. This came amidst what the company described as ongoing attacks against the First and Second Amendments.

The suspension, which Facebook's parent company Meta later acknowledged as an error, stemmed from several posts flagged for promoting weapon sales. Smith & Wesson emphasized the importance of Musk's stance on free speech, criticizing Meta for the suspension despite their efforts to comply with the platform's ever-changing community guidelines on firearms.

Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson is one of the most recognized gun brands in America, reporting $535.8 million in sales in the 2024 fiscal year. The company encouraged its 1.6 million Facebook followers to seek out platforms that uphold the values of free speech and the right to bear arms.

Musk responded to the post by reaffirming his belief in the Constitution and highlighting X's decision to reinstate the gun emoji, which Twitter had replaced with a water gun in 2018. The National Association for Gun Rights also praised X as one of the last major bastions for Second Amendment and firearms content on social media.

This incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding free speech and gun rights in the digital age. While Facebook has since reinstated Smith & Wesson's account, the company's statement and Musk's response highlight the importance of platforms that support these fundamental rights.