Smith & Wesson publicly thanked Elon Musk for his unwavering support of free speech after Facebook abruptly suspended the gunmaker’s account. The incident highlights the increasingly hostile environment for Second Amendment content on many social media platforms, with X emerging as a rare haven for such voices.
The company’s account, which had been active on Facebook for 15 years, was suspended on November 22. In a statement on X, Smith & Wesson called out the challenges posed by ever-changing guidelines on firearm-related content, praising Musk for standing firm on constitutional rights.
“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,” the company wrote. “We want to thank @elonmusk and @X for supporting free speech and our constitutional rights guaranteed by the 1st and 2nd Amendments.”
Musk responded to the post, writing, “We restored the gun emoji and believe in the Constitution.”
The National Association for Gun Rights joined the conversation, commending Musk and X for providing a platform for Second Amendment advocates. “The noose is slowly tightening everywhere else, seeking to squeeze us out entirely,” the group noted.
While Facebook’s parent company, Meta, claimed the suspension was an error and restored the account, critics argue that such mistakes consistently impact conservative and pro-gun voices.
Smith & Wesson, headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee, remains one of the most recognizable firearm brands in America. The company emphasized its mission to empower Americans with safety, freedom, and security as outlined in the Bill of Rights.
The incident reinforces the divide between platforms perceived as censoring right-leaning content and those championing free expression. Musk’s leadership at X has garnered widespread praise among advocates for constitutional rights.
