A group of Catholic nuns took legal action against the board of Smith & Wesson, aiming to halt the production, marketing, and sales of assault-style rifles associated with devastating mass shootings across the United States. Filed in a Nevada state court, the lawsuit alleges that the company's top management knowingly disregarded laws and failed to address legal challenges surrounding these firearms, putting the corporation at substantial legal risk.
The lawsuit contends that Smith & Wesson's leadership knowingly breached federal, state, and local laws concerning the production and sale of AR-15 assault-style rifles, which have been involved in numerous shocking mass shootings. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Jeffrey Norton, accuse the company of prioritizing profit despite the alarming increase in gun-related deaths and mass shootings involving its products.
The nuns' coalition collectively owns over 1,000 shares of Smith & Wesson and is demanding corporate accountability through their shareholder activism. If successful, the lawsuit aims to hold the company's directors responsible for any costs tied to the alleged illegal marketing of assault rifles, with damages directed towards Smith & Wesson.
"This legal action seeks to address the undeniable societal harm caused by these firearms," Norton emphasized in a news release, applauding the commitment of the nuns toward advocating for corporate responsibility.