Major US sporting retailer ends sale of assault-style weapons at outlets
One of largest sports retailers in the US will halt the sale of assault-style weapons at all its outlets, according the firm’s chief executive. Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack says he expects a backlash.
The move, along with a string of other measures governing weapons sales, was announced during an appearance on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America.’ Stack said he and his fellow executives were moved by the revelation that Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz purchased a weapon from one of the outlets prior to the shooting.
#Parkland massacre survivor boycotts school until Florida passes gun legislation https://t.co/h547307VfL
— RT (@RT_com) February 27, 2018
“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,” Stack said in a statement on the company’s website. “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.”
The company had stopped the sale of the rifles after the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, but still permitted the sale of the weapons in its 35 Field & Stream stores. The chain will also no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age, nor will it sell high capacity magazines. It also promised to continue not selling bump stocks which allow semi-automatic weapons to operate like automatic weapons.
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Politicians and commentators took to Twitter to welcome the move, praising the company for its “leadership” and criticizing US President Donald Trump for his perceived inaction in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting. Meanwhile, others believe the measures should act as a blueprint for new gun control legislation.
I commend DICK's Sporting Goods, a member of the New York family, for their leadership in taking smart measures to keep weapons out of the wrong hands. Weapons of war do not belong on our streets. https://t.co/bER4GobKS9
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 28, 2018
We should #neveragain have assault weapons for sale in America. Thank you to DICK’S for taking action to end our national epidemic of gun violence.Now, it is Congress’ turn to take this progress beyond DICK’S—and ban the sale of assault weapons nationwide. https://t.co/KVZRJSFolR
— Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) February 28, 2018
I’m pleased to see Dick’s Sporting Goods will end the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and that they will stop selling firearms of any type to anyone under 21. Now, let’s keep the pressure on Congress to make these and related changes the law of the land.
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevinCA) February 28, 2018
How does it feel, knowing that Dick's Sporting Goods is a better leader for America than our own President?
— Ed Krassenstein 💎 (@EdKrassen) February 28, 2018
Some on Twitter believe the announcement is nothing more than a PR stunt or a cost-saving exercise for the store while other conservative elements on the social media platform have called for a boycott of Dick’s.
Dick's is getting lots of publicity for this but they haven't sold these kind of guns in their main stores for over 6 years. https://t.co/rT7F8Mq34L
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) February 28, 2018
I literally have never heard of anyone buying a gun at Dick’s. Sounds like they’re trying to ingratiate themselves while winding down inventory to save money.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 28, 2018
Boycott Dick's Sporting Goods.@DICKS wants to severely restrict 2nd Amendment rights.Shop elsewhere.#BoycottDicksSportingGoodshttps://t.co/nrqRKHFloj
— Mark Pantano (@TheMarkPantano) February 28, 2018
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