SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) JULY 6, 2002 STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) DELAWARE (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 001-10435 06-0633559 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number) ONE LACEY PLACE, SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT 06490 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 259-7843 Page 1 of 4 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On July 8, 2002, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. issued a press release announcing that William Batterman Ruger, founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Company, died on July 6, 2002, at age 86. For further information, stockholders and other interested parties are referred to the Company's press release dated July 8, 2002, which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. Exhibit Description ------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated July 8, 2002 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized. STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC. By: /s/ Erle G. Blanchard ----------------------------------- Name: Erle G. Blanchard Title: Principal Financial Officer, Vice Chairman, President, Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and Director Date: July 9, 2002 2