FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 9, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (the "Company") (Nasdaq: SWHC), the provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, today announced that it has named Barry Willingham to the newly created post of Chief Operating Officer for Universal Safety Response (USR), the Company's facility perimeter security subsidiary.

Willingham, 49, will report to USR President, Matthew Gelfand. In his role at USR, he will drive operational excellence objectives across the organization and will be closely involved in developing and executing USR's strategic plans in both the domestic and the emerging international markets.

Willingham joins USR with over 18 years of management experience in physical security, safety, and construction, including his most recent position as Vice President of Security and Specified Products at Ameristar Fence Products. Prior to Ameristar, Willingham held a number of increasingly responsible positions in product development, sales, and marketing with Hilti Corporation, a multi-national firm that develops, manufactures, and markets products to professionals in the construction and building maintenance industries.

USR President, Matthew Gelfand, said, "We are excited about Barry's addition to the team. His capabilities include operations management and other key areas that are critical to our future growth, including product development, marketing, strategic planning, and customer development. He is respected for his accomplishments and innovations in the security industry, and he brings us tremendous knowledge and expertise from his many years of experience. Barry is especially well versed in chemical facility protection, and particularly CFATS regulations, standards that are increasingly applied across a spectrum of potentially sensitive facilities. He has also worked with the American Chemistry Council and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the development of security design solutions."

Willingham holds employer awards for internal sales and productivity from Hilti, vendor awards from Fluor Daniel and Raytheon Corp., and the Presidents Award for significant contributions to the industry from the American Fence Association. He earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Memphis.

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on tohttp://www.smith-wesson.com/;http://www.usrgrab.com/; or http://www.tcarms.com/.

Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
(413) 747-3304
lsharp@smith-wesson.com

SOURCE Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation