Arizona -(Ammoland.com)- On December 18, 2012, Dick’s Sporting Goods suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles across the country. The decision was reported by nbcbayarea.com on 18 December, just 4 days after the mass murder at Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Connecticut.
“We are extremely saddened by the unspeakable tragedy that occurred last week in Newtown, CT, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and to the entire community.
“Out of respect for the victims and their families, during this time of national mourning we have removed all guns from sale and from display in our store nearest to Newtown and suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles in all of our stores chainwide.
“We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by this terrible tragedy. “
Dick’s responded quickly to the emotional appeals of the dominant national media. Note that Dick’s said they suspended the sale. They did not say they would never sell modern sporting rifles again. In fact, they resumed the sale of AR-15 type rifles and other modern sporting rifles by August of 2013. From nbcnews.com, August 20, 2013:
Gun control activists praised the chain’s decision at the time. But this weekend Dick’s opened the first store in a new chain called Field & Stream that specializes in hunting and fishing products, and a call to the store in Cranberry Township, Penn., reveals that Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifles are for sale.
“We have a full stock,” said a clerk who identified himself as Gary. He said the guns retailed for $800, and that the gun counter was “really busy.”
Now Dick’s is once again bending to the enormous pressure of the elite media and other parts of the Progressive political machine. Dick’s CEO has fully caved. Dick’s has gone all out for the politically correct response. It is the easy thing to do when faced with enormous pressure. It takes courage to oppose the group-think sponsored by nearly all the national media. Dick’s now supports enacting extreme controls, far beyond any laws now in place.
Dick’s now supports:
Banning assault-style firearms – by many definitions, this would be most semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols in the country, and would include many pump action shotguns.
Forbidding the sale of guns to adult citizens under the age of 21 – It is hard to see how this would pass constitutional muster.
Banning high capacity magazines and bump stocks – Bump stocks have only been used once in a mass murder. “High capacity” usually refers to standard capacity magazines for most rifles and pistols.
Banning private sales by requiring government permission before any gun is sold – This requires a national registration of guns to be useful. None of the recent mass murders would have been affected by this proposed legislation.
There is no evidence that any of these measures would prevent future mass school murders. Even in Australia, the extreme gun laws, similar to these proposals in many ways, did not reduce mass shooting in schools.
Dick’s once again takes the easy, “politically correct” action. It is far easier than opposing the emotionally driven agenda.
©2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
Went one better, I banned ALL products from Prick’s. They won’t sell me anything.
Lib/Dem caving owners are just living up to the companies name……… They too, are now DICKS !
Dick’s is a sporting goods shop for Liberals.
“Forbidding the sale of guns to adult citizens under the age of 21 – It is hard to see how this would pass constitutional muster.” — Oh, please. The sale of handguns to anyone under the age of 21 was prohibited when the Gun Control Act of 1968 became law. I don’t see any judges or NRA officials claim that didn’t “pass constitutional muster.” Once government officials, from SCOTUS justices on down, have “interpreted” the RKBA to be a de facto “privilege” then all sorts of restrictions and prohibitions can be construed to “pass constitutional muster.” “None of the recent… Read more »
We don have mass school shootings in Australia, so there is no quantity to reduce, Dean.
We can still hunt and shoot with most actions and if you are a farmer semi automatic s are readily available. Handguns available to people that have joined handgun clubs.
By assault rifle we all know what is meant and it doesn’t mean your Browning BAR…
So not sure what you’re going on about .
Oz
I don’t bother with Dick’s,haven’t since their post Newtown company statement,I will not support any company that doesn’t recognize my cicil rights. Never Dick’s,Dick’s Never.