Some companies that deal in firearms might surprise you — and their investors
Some companies that deal in firearms might surprise you — and their investors
Shares of publicly traded firearm companies often rise after tragedies like this week’s mass shooting at an elementary school west of San Antonio with the assumption gun sales may go up on fears of increased gun regulation. This week, Smith & Wesson and Sturm Ruger both saw their stocks rise in the wake of Tuesday’s shooting. But there are also some lesser-known public companies that operate in the gun market.
It’s not always obvious whether a company is involved in the gun industry.
Take National Presto Industries, a publicly traded company that sells slow cookers, air fryers … and ammunition. Or Vista Outdoor, its brands include Bell bike helmets, Camelbak hydration packs and … Remington.
“They’ve got the Remington shotgun shells, the long guns,” said Burt Flickinger at Strategic Resource Group.
Thing is, there are investors who want to know what companies are involved in selling guns and related equipment.
Andrew Behar runs As You Sow, a nonprofit that promotes corporate responsibility.
“They’re included in mutual funds, and in people’s 401(k) plans, and most people are not even aware of that,” he said.
Behar’s company runs a website called Weapon Free Funds that helps people look up whether they’re invested in the gun industry.
“Which looks at both military weapons, but also civilian weapons. Including assault weapons and ammunition,” he said.
The goal, he said, is to let people know if their investments are in line with their values.
Stories You Might Like
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
