Online Public Relations Thoughts

Smith & Wesson, a gunmaker in Massachusetts since 1852, is leaving the state and moving its headquarters and manufacturing to Tennessee. It is being chased out by pending legislation that would forbid the production of assault-style weapons.  While this is Massachusetts' loss, it might make little difference to the state to sacrifice 750 jobs.  The image of weapons builders is in deep trouble with most Americans and even the National Rifle Association can't help.  (It has troubles of its own.)  How does an industry in decline guard itself against a conventional perception of its harmful effect on the public?  The company is finding out along with all the other gunmakers. They are in the same position as cigarette manufacturers when the public finally swung against smoking.