Dick’s Sporting Goods Will No Longer Sell ‘Assault-Style Rifles’

Dicks Sporting Goods is making a major move. The retailer has announced that it will no longer sell “assault-style rifles.” (I HAAAAATE that term. THOSE AREN’T A THING.) In addition, it will not sell guns to anyone under the age of 21. Dicks will also no longer sell high capacity magazines.

We at DICK’S Sporting Goods are deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events in Parkland. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones. https://t.co/J4OcB6XJnu pic.twitter.com/WmT50BO7mx

— DICK’S Sporting Goods (@DICKS) February 28, 2018

But thoughts and prayers are not enough. We have to help solve the problem that’s in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that’s taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America – our kids. https://t.co/J4OcB6XJnu pic.twitter.com/6VoKwJe8tH

— DICK’S Sporting Goods (@DICKS) February 28, 2018

We deeply believe that this country’s most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe. Beginning today, DICK’S Sporting Goods is committed to the following: https://t.co/J4OcB6XJnu pic.twitter.com/BaTJ9LaCYe

— DICK’S Sporting Goods (@DICKS) February 28, 2018

At the same time, we implore our elected officials to enact common sense gun reform and pass the following regulations: https://t.co/J4OcB6XJnu pic.twitter.com/VUuFKkyk6c

— DICK’S Sporting Goods (@DICKS) February 28, 2018

Here’s the statement in its entirety:

We at DICK’S Sporting Goods are deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events in Parkland. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones.

But thoughts and prayers are not enough.

We have tremendous respect and admiration for the students organizing and making their voices heard regarding gun violence in schools and elsewhere in our country.

We have heard you. The nation has heard you.

We support and respect the Second Amendment, and we recognize and appreciate that the vast majority of gun owners in this country are responsible, law-abiding citizens. But we have to help solve the problem that’s in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that’s taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America – our kids.

Following all of the rules and laws, we sold a shotgun to the Parkland shooter in November of 2017. It was not the gun, nor type of gun, he used in the shooting. But it could have been.

Clearly this indicates on so many levels that the systems in place are not effective to protect our kids and our citizens.

We believe it’s time to do something about it.

Beginning today, DICK’S Sporting Goods is committed to the following:

• We will no longer sell assault-style rifles, also referred to as modern sporting rifles. We had already removed them from all DICK’S stores after the Sandy Hook massacre, but we will now remove them from sale at all 35 Field & Stream stores.
• We will no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age.
• We will no longer sell high capacity magazines.
• We never have and never will sell bump stocks that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.

At the same time, we implore our elected officials to enact common sense gun reform and pass the following regulations:

• Ban assault-style firearms
• Raise the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21
• Ban high capacity magazines and bump stocks
• Require universal background checks that include relevant mental health information and previous interactions with the law
• Ensure a complete universal database of those banned from buying firearms
• Close the private sale and gun show loophole that waives the necessity of background checks

We hope others join us in this effort to let our kids know that their pleas are being taken seriously.

Some will say these steps can’t guarantee tragedies like Parkland will never happen again. They may be correct – but if common sense reform is enacted and even one life is saved, it will have been worth it.

We deeply believe that this country’s most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe.

Sincerely,

Edward W. Stack
Chairman & CEO
DICK’S Sporting Goods

Dick’s is clearly horrified that it sold a shotgun to the murderer. I get that, but that’s not on Dick’s. The company didn’t do anything wrong. The government failed. That’s why he was able to purchase a weapon.

I also find it amusing that Dick’s is all, “we support and respect the Second Amendment” but later adds that we must “ban assault-style firearms.”

Come ON, Dick’s. That’s not the problem, and that’s still not A Thing.

The retailer can do what it wants. I’m not arguing otherwise. No one should force it to sell something it doesn’t want to sell. I’m just annoyed by all of the libs who are showering he company with praises– as if THIS will end gun violence.

No. It won’t. It doesn’t do a darn thing. Schools still remain soft targets.

Good call to the CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods for taking assault rifles out of your stores. Being part of the solution. #GMA

— ALICIA (@AliciaAscouter) February 28, 2018

Thank you Dick’s Sporting Goods for refusing to sell assault rifles and raising the minimum age of gun buyers to 21. Let’s see if the NRA rails against private business decisions in the free market.

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) February 28, 2018

I live in a time when retailers have more common sense than GOP law makers. Thank you Dick’s Sporting Goods!#NeverAgain #Parkland

— Jill Patton (@JillPatton) February 28, 2018

Dick’s sporting goods just won the heart of the nation. Thank y’all for stepping up and being leaders. We don’t have many of those in Congress right now

— SilENce DoGOoD (@realBigBalls) February 28, 2018

Dick’s Sporting Goods will stop selling AR-15s and similar assault rifles to people under 21! The power of culture to change commerce — and vice versa.

— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) February 28, 2018

I am seriously buying stuff at @DICKS as soon as I possibly can. Thank you for having a moral backbone, Dick’s Sporting Goods!! #NeverAgain #MarchForOurLives

— Joey (@geojohwee) February 28, 2018

I hate to say this (no I don’t), but this is a feel-good move. It’s not going to change anything, but libs are elated because it feeeeeeeeeeels like they’re doing something.

Sorry, but that’s the truth. This solves nothing.

Shout out to Dick’s Sporting Goods for pandering to an audience who doesn’t shop there! Smart business move!

— Covfefe Rock🇺🇸 (@TheMichaelRock) February 28, 2018

Yep.