Hogg’s demands? Smith & Wesson must fund gun violence prevention research to the tune of $5 million annually. Smith & Wesson must also “stop manufacturing guns that are illegal under the 2004 Massachusetts assault weapons ban.”
David Hogg and His ‘March To Smith & Wesson’
Hogg entered the media spotlight after Parkland for his anti-gun statements. He helped organize the March for Our Lives campaign, and has spoken at numerous anti-gun events across the country. Most recently, he organized a March To Smith & Wesson to protest the company making “military style” rifles.
The march in Massachusetts consisted of a four-day, 50-mile walk from Worcester to Springfield, which is where Smith & Wesson is headquartered. Once there, Hogg spoke to an estimated 100 protesters, according to the Boston Herald. During the speech, he demanded that Smith & Wesson stop making AR-15 rifles and donate $5 million to gun violence research.
However, counter protesters supported Smith & Wesson by holding signs across the street with the words “I love S&W.” Police made sure the two groups stayed apart.
Now since 1852, Smith & Wesson has called Springfield home. It is now one of the largest firearm manufacturers in the world, as well as one of the largest employers in the area. In fact, the company has been lauded for its philanthropic efforts and contributions to the state economy. It is also a leader in creating manufacturing technology application programs and going green through the use of solar energy.
Despite all this, many of the firearms Hogg and his group are protesting aren’t legal in the Bay State. Of course, Smith & Wesson ships firearms across the country to more gun-friendly states.
David Hogg Tweet
At some point during the protest, Hogg Tweeted:
Dear, Smith and Wesson should you not choose to be morally responsible by
1. By funding gun violence prevention research with 5 million dollars annually.
&
2. Stop manufacturing guns that are illegal under the 2004 Massachusetts assault weapons ban
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) August 26, 2018
Hogg followed that one with:
We will destroy you by using the two things you fear most.
Love and economics 🙂 see you soon.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) August 26, 2018
Unfortunately for him, the response was less than cordial.
Response to David Hogg
Responders hit Hogg for all kinds of reasons, from just saying the statement, or the person, was stupid to pointing out that anti-gun advocates don’t buy firearms anyway, so it would be hard to withhold money. Some even pointed out that it looked like he was trying to extort the company, saying that was against the law. Others simply said that they were now going to buy a new Smith & Wesson firearm.
However, a few simply pointed out the difficulty understanding what he was actually trying to say, vaguely accusing him of calling the company “Dear” because of comma placement.
Regardless, Smith & Wesson did not respond to Hogg or media requests for comments about the protest.
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