Shares of gun makers Smith & Wesson (SWHC) and Sturm Ruger (RGR) fell on an analyst report saying growth in the number of applications for handgun purchases appeared to slow last month. Benchmark said FBI background checks rose 14.7% in September. Although still strong, the monthly figure was the second lowest this year, after April's 10.5%, and well below the 20%-plus growth in applications in the months from May to August. Smith & Wesson and