Despite doom and gloom from naysayers concerning firearm sales, Smith & Wesson CEO James Debney is predicting that the gun maker will continue to see healthy sales, noting that they expect “single-digit to ... high-single digit” growth in coming months. “We see what’s shaping up to be a good environment at retail,” Debney said during the company's fiscal second-quarter earnings conference call this week, CNBC reports.
In contrast to the past eight years, in which demand for firearms spiked whenever President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats pushed gun control, Debney said the future outlook is for a “normalized environment” without such dramatic swings. “That's really the environment where we can take market share and continue to grow,” he said.
Of particular note, he explained, is recent expansion in some segments of the firearm market. “Many more women than ever before are taking an interest in the shooting sports,” Debney said. “We are excited about the future. The firearms business remains strong.”
