Just saw an article that May 2017 set a new record for ATF background checks in that month, and that 2017 is on track to be at least the second highest if not the highest year on record for these checks. New record: America arms itself, 'necessary steps to defend selves'

The article suggests that the terrorists are the ones drumming up business for gun makers, but whatever the source I suspect that S&W's reasons behind the current rebate program are more likely to be the balancing of unsold inventory rather than just creating more sales. Still, I was happy to take advantage on a Shield.