New Hampshire

Customers Split on New Gun Policy at Dick's Sporting Goods

Dick's Sporting Goods announced major changes Wednesday in response to the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Edward Stack, CEO of the largest sporting goods store in the country, released a statement on the company's to make the following website, with these changes:

  • "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."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones," Stack said. "But thoughts and prayers are not enough. We believe it's time to do something about it."

"You have to start somewhere," said Dick's shopper Renee Carey. "Maybe this is that tipping point."

Stack learned that Nicholas Cruz, the Douglas High School shooter didn't buy the gun he used in the shooting from Dick's, but he did buy a shotgun from their store in November 2017.

"It's too loose," said Dick's shopper Richard Caravella. "It's too easy. Raise the age, I'm for it."

Shoppers at Dick's in Concord, New Hampshire, were divided.

"You're probably more responsible, more thoughtful at [21] than you might be at 18," said Carey.

"In my opinion, you can't completely blame it on weapons," said Matthew Viger. "I think the wrong kid got a hold of the weapons."

Stack is also calling on lawmakers to step up, by asking them to 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

"He's taking a risk," Carey said. "He's taking a business risk, but I think it's admirable."

Shoppers opposed to the changes said they'll still give Dick's business.

"Everyone has their own policies," Viger said. "I'm not going to stop buying cleats, because they're not going to sell somebody a rifle or whatever it is under the age of 21."

Read the entire statement here.

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