Facebook radio silent after suddenly banning this popular gun manufacturer

Smith & Wesson, a popular American gun manufacturer, recently faced a sudden suspension of its Facebook account, leaving the company in the dark about the reasons behind the action. Despite the reinstatement of the account, the company has expressed frustration over the lack of direct communication from Facebook regarding the suspension.

According to a representative for Smith & Wesson, the company received a notification from Facebook on Nov. 22 stating that their official account had been “suspended indefinitely.” The representative noted that there were no prior warnings or communications from Facebook about the suspension.

Facebook cited five posts dating back to December 2023 as the reason for the suspension, claiming that they did not follow the platform’s community guidelines. These posts included consumer promotional campaigns, charitable auctions, and product release announcements. However, Smith & Wesson maintains that the content did not violate any of Facebook’s policies or guidelines, as similar posts had been published in the past without issue.

While Facebook’s commerce policy prohibits the promotion of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, there are exceptions for legitimate retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. Despite this, Smith & Wesson’s page was suspended, causing confusion and frustration for the company.

After making a public statement about the incident on X, the page was eventually reinstated on Nov. 27. In the statement, Smith & Wesson criticized Facebook and thanked Elon Musk and X for supporting free speech and the right to bear arms. The company encouraged its followers to seek out platforms that align with their values of free speech and gun rights.

Despite the reinstatement, Smith & Wesson has had no direct contact with Meta, Facebook’s parent company, and no rationale was provided for the suspension beyond a comment on social media from a Facebook representative stating that it was an error.

The company expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for creating a platform that respects free speech and constitutional rights, emphasizing the importance of inclusive platforms that allow for respectful dialogue from all viewpoints. Smith & Wesson also highlighted the experiences of other social media users who have been de-platformed without warning, calling for a more inclusive and open dialogue on social media platforms.

Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson is a prominent gun brand in America, reporting $535.8 million in sales in the 2024 fiscal year. The company remains committed to upholding the rights guaranteed under the First and Second Amendments and advocating for a more inclusive social media environment for all users.