From: "roger gascoigne", [EMAIL PROTECTED] By Jeff Donn Associated Press Writer SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Smith & Wesson, which angered some competitors and consumers when it struck a federal gun-safety deal, reportedly plans to shut down two manufacturing plants during July. WGGB-TV in Boston, citing unidentified company representatives, reported Monday that Smith & Wesson was responding both to cyclically sluggish summer sales and consumer resistance in the wake of the gun-safety accord. The station said about 500 workers would be affected at plants in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. An employee who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday, confirmed that an internal memo distributed to workers Friday said it was "necessary" to close some manufacturing departments for the month of July. A spokesman for Springfield-based Smith & Wesson, the nation's largest handgun maker, did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. The company hoped its agreement with the government would bring in more contracts from city police departments. But a conference of the National Rifle Association last month underscored how the deal has hurt the company with some buyers, as some shunned the gun maker's exhibit. In the March 17 agreement, Smith & Wesson promised to install safety locks, demand background checks on gun-show buyers, and work on guns that can be fired only by their owner. Public officials agreed to drop Smith & Wesson from municipal lawsuits challenging the safety and marketing practices of the gun industry. Competitors have sued the government and some cities over the agreement, calling it a restraint on trade. They argue that the government is illegally pushing police departments to buy from Smith & Wesson. Meanwhile, authorities in several states have been investigating whether the company's competitors are illegally trying to squelch its business in retaliation for the agreement. There was a note of good news for the company Monday, though. The federal government is granting $300,000 to help Smith & Wesson develop guns that recognize the legal user's fingerprints and only shoot for that person, state congressmen announced. -------[Cybershooters contacts]-------- Editor: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website & subscription info: www.cybershooters.org
