Dick’s Sporting Goods will no longer sell assault rifles, and Twitter is rejoicing
It has been two weeks since a gunman carrying an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle opened fire on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In that time, while politicians have argued back and forth about whether or not to act, survivors of the shooting have taken charge, organizing protests to advocate for stricter gun control laws. And people are beginning to listen. Today, February 28th, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced that, after witnessing these students’ protests, it will no longer sell assault rifles.
On Good Morning America, the company’s CEO, Ed Stack said that Dick’s will no longer carry high-capacity magazines or assault rifles like the AR-15 used in the Parkland shooting. Stack also said that the company will impose an age limit of 21 for all customers who wish to purchase firearms. He revealed that 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, the shooter in the Parkland attack, had purchased a gun from one of the company’s stores in November, although it wasn’t the gun he used in the shooting.
"We did everything by the book. We did everything that the law required, and still he was able to buy a gun," Stack said about Cruz's purchase. "When we looked at that, we said the systems that are in place across the board just aren't effective enough to keep us from selling a gun like that."
Later, the company tweeted the new changes to its policy and called for members of Congress to enact similar regulations on a national level.
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
Dick’s is the largest sporting goods store in the country. The company removed assault rifles from its main stores after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, but its smaller Field and Stream stores had continued to sell them until Stack announced these changes to the company’s policy.
Twitter users applauded Stack’s decision.
Bravo to Dick’s Sporting Goods for stoping the sale of assault rifles. This is what corporate responsibility looks like. https://t.co/7e32qEjFs6
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) February 28, 2018
When our own legislators won’t work to keep us safe, there are more voices of reason speaking up now. Kudos to Dick’s Sporting Goods! Read their statement here. I will be spending money at Dick’s. Hope others will follow their lead. #BoycottTheNRA #arpx pic.twitter.com/nq2pkDdpAc
— Coffee and Accordions (@34dd_trav) February 28, 2018
Kudos to Dick’s Sporting Goods for not waiting around for gun control legislation to be passed and taking matters into their own hands. #disarmtheUSA
— Winston Wood (@wawoodee) February 28, 2018
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“We don’t want to be a part of this any longer.” Dick’s Sporting Goods steps way up. #NeverAgain #GunSenseNow https://t.co/i4MTSP256Q
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) February 28, 2018
The retailer even gained some new customers as a result of the changes.
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I’m going to buy something, anything, from Dick’s Sporting Goods today to show support! I suggest you do the same!
— Buddybud 🆘 (@Buddyboybudbud) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/968862596374913026
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/968889618031669248
Meanwhile, some called for other companies like FedEx to follow Dick’s lead.
Dick's Sporting Goods will stop selling Assault riffles, thank you for putting Lives over profit.
We are still waiting on you to sever ties with the NRA. Your pockets will be affected by not doing what’s right. pic.twitter.com/EW69YHPZS7
— Dom (@Underrated_Dom) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/968899284698480641
This is the vast majority speaking and a big corporation listening. What about @FedEx and @Amazon @DICKS Sporting Goods will stop selling assault-style rifles – CNN Money https://t.co/dw7vvzWjX5
— Adrian Benepe (@Adrian_Benepe) February 28, 2018
Stack’s decision to stop selling firearms is a huge step in the right direction. We applaud Dick’s Sporting Goods for recognizing that lives are more important than gun sales. But the fight to end gun violence can’t stop with retailers. Our country is long overdue for a serious gun reform discussion. We need Congress to take action, and we need them to do it now.
