In light of recent events, a major sporting good’s retailer, DICKS’s Sporting Goods has announced that they will immediately, beginning Wednesday, February 28, 2018, stop the sales of assault-style rifles, high-capacity magazines, and will only sell other firearms to those 21-years-old or older.
This announcement comes after multiple school and other mass shootings killing dozens of people and leaving dozens more injured. Despite the “guns don’t kill people” argument, Dick’s Sporting Goods said, “We deeply believe that this country’s most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe.”
This bold move will undoubtedly gain support for the retailer, who also sells numerous other sporting good items, but can also come with arguments from the National Rifle Association (NRA) supporters. “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,” DICK’s Sporting Goods officials said. “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.”
Government officials, some which citizens feel are not speaking up in order to keep the support of potential voters, have made little to no changes to help provide additional measures to ensure weapons are only in the hands of those who can safely use and store them. “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.” DICK’s Sporting Good officials admittedly sold a shotgun to the Parkland shooter in November 2017. The gun was sold legally, using all rules and laws. The gun was not the gun or even type of gun which was used in the shooting, but DICK’s Sporting Goods officials said, “ But it could have been.”
The sporting goods giant announced their new policy on Good Morning America, on Twitter, and in a news release on Wednesday morning. They noted their respect and admiration for the students who are speaking out on the matter and demanding stricter gun laws, stating that they have been heard. “Clearly this indicates on so many levels that the systems in place are not effective to protect our kids and our citizens.”
The Sporting Goods store officials said their new store policies are as follows:
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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.
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We will no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age.
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We will no longer sell high capacity magazines.
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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,” they added. “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.”
