DICK'S Sporting Goods to stop selling rifles

CNN Money

After the senseless acts of violence in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine’s Day, DICK’S Sporting Goods has decided to discontinue selling assault style weapons in its stores.

The retailer known for selling golf, sports, and hunting gear took to Twitter to share a statement with its customers and the world regarding the attacks and its decision.

“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,” according to the store’s statement.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 28, DICK’S Sporting Goods has committed to new regulations regarding the sales of other guns in their stores. These regulations include the discontinuing of assault style weapons, or modern sporting rifles, from all Field and Stream stores. Assault style weapons were previously removed from DICK’S stores after the Sandy Hook massacre. The stores will also no longer sell any guns to customers under the age of 21 or sell high capacity magazines. DICK’S states it has never and will never sell bump stocks that allow assault weapons to fire rapidly.

Read the full statement here.