DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-50,192

SMITH & WESSON, CORPORATION
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 26, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of Smith & Wesson Corporation, Springfield, Massachusetts.
The workers at the subject firm produce handguns.
The investigation revealed that sales and production at the
subject firm decreased from 2000 to 2001. Employment declined from
2000 through October 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding their purchases of handguns. This
survey revealed increases in imports of handguns during the period
under investigation.
This worker group was previously certified eligible to apply
for trade adjustment assistance under petition number TA-W-38,333,
that expired on December 12, 2002.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I
conclude that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with handguns produced at Smith & Wesson Corporation,
Springfield, Massachusetts, contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production and at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Smith & Wesson Corporation, Springfield,
Massachusetts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after December 13, 2002, through two years
from the date of certification are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 13th day of March, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance