** Shares of Smith & Wesson Brands tumble 15.3% to over 1-yr low of $11.55 premarket after firearm maker's bleak report

** Co late Thurs said expects current-qtr sales to be approx 10%-15% lower than a year ago ** "Based on the softer demand trends we have seen across the industry in recent months, we have reduced our expectations for the second half of fiscal 2025," CFO Deana McPherson said in the

** For fiscal Q2, co posted rev of $129.7 mln, up 4% y/y, and GAAP EPS of 9 cents

** Avg estimate among 3 analysts was for rev of $133.5 mln and earnings of 15 cents, per LSEG

** Lake Street Capital Markets downgrades SWBI to 'hold' from 'buy' and reduces PT by $5 to $13

** "We think we are in a more normalized demand environment and think single-digit sales growth is more likely next year with modest margin improvement," Lake Street writes in note

** Through Thurs, SWBI shares had edged up 0.5% in 2024. Stock's 52-week high is $18.05, hit in Mar

** Gun makers in the past have seen sales increase ahead of presidential elections amid concerns that potential gun control legislation could restrict access to firearms

(Lance Tupper is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own) ((lance.tupper@tr.com 1-646-279-6380))