NRA gun giveway program is a hoax

Hackers distributed a fake news release Wednesday saying Springfield-based gunmaker Smith & Wesson was working with the NRA to “get guns into the hands of statistically under-armed Americans” through a “buy one, give one” program called “Share the Safety.” The fake press release identified those “under-armed” populations as ranging from “homosexuals to the elderly to besieged urban communities.” Officials with both the NRA and Smith & Wesson on Wednesday afternoon said the release and associated websites were fake. While Smith & Wesson supports — and is supported by — the National Rifle Association, the announcement is not real, said Smith & Wesson spokeswoman Elizabeth Sharp. NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker also confirmed the NRA was not behind the release/Jim Kinney, MASSLive. More here.