American Outdoor Brands

American Outdoor Brands, which owns Smith & Wesson firearms, said November 13 2019 it would split into two companies. The move would leave an outdoor products business and hive off the firearms business into a separate publicly traded company. American Outdoor Brands’ share price has sunk over the past year as retailers and businesses have faced growing pressure from the public and investors to curb gun violence after mass shootings. James Debney, the president and chief executive, will lead the outdoor pursuits business, while Mark Smith, the president of the manufacturing services division, will take up the role of chief executive at Smith & Wesson Brands, the firearms business.