6 States to Probe Tactics of Gun Maker’s Competitors

California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer and prosecutors in five other states have agreed to investigate whether gun dealers and others are illegally retaliating against Smith & Wesson for agreeing to make its firearms safer.

“Exercising corporate responsibility should not be reason for your competitors to put a bull’s eye on your back,” Nathan Barankin, a spokesman for Lockyer, said Wednesday.

Connecticut Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal said that more than 20 subpoenas had been issued for firearms manufacturers, distributors and others.

Blumenthal said he had received reports of communications among companies, Web site postings, conversations or threats involving a ban on magazine ads for Smith & Wesson and attempts to discourage lawyers from representing the company.

In a break with other manufacturers, Smith & Wesson last month agreed to immediate and future design changes intended to make its guns safer, including improvement of safety locks. In exchange, the federal government, some states and several local governments agreed not to sue the manufacturer over gun violence.

Additionally, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and several big-city mayors have indicated that they will give Smith & Wesson preference over other makers for purchase of law enforcement guns.

Barankin said it was unknown whether Smith & Wesson is the target of illegal business practices in California, but said, “If there is anti-competitive behavior occurring in the industry, we intend to find out about it.”

Blumenthal identified other participating states as New York, Maryland, Florida and Massachusetts.