General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWOW-Statement from Dicks Sporting Goods: Thoughts and prayers are not enough.
http://pressroom.dicks.com/press-information/media-statements.aspx?camp=sns::20180227:CS2015:am:end:&utm_medium=Social%20DSG&utm_source=&utm_campaign=CS2015&utm_term=&utm_content=20180227
Link to tweet
bullwinkle428
(20,630 posts)Princess Turandot
(4,787 posts)'Wow' is right.
But thoughts and prayers are not enough.
We have tremendous respect and admiration for the students organizing and making their voices heard regarding gun violence in schools and elsewhere in our country.
We have heard you. The nation has heard you.
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 thats in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic thats 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 its time to do something about it.
Beginning today, DICKS Sporting Goods is committed to the following:
We will no longer sell assault-style rifles, also referred to as modern sporting rifles. We had already removed them from all DICKS 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.
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.
Some will say these steps cant 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.
We deeply believe that this countrys most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe.
Sincerely,
Edward W. Stack
Chairman & CEO
DICKS Sporting Goods
dalton99a
(81,570 posts)SQUEE
(1,315 posts)flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)I have to admit I always had pretty low expectations. Shocking, they're opportunistic.
Justice
(7,188 posts)SQUEE
(1,315 posts)Or used the first "ban" to appease some people while still making profits on the side.
Sorry but I am cynical of any and all corporations pandering.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)I also am concerned about corporate pandering, like the political pandering to the NRA. Agreed?
SQUEE
(1,315 posts)One can be a gun owner, and a 2nd Ammendment supporter without being NRA. It speaks for the corporations not the citizens, something I have no time for.
IronLionZion
(45,528 posts)SQUEE
(1,315 posts)I'll stick with REI who has never conflated the outdoors with the 2A.
Canoe52
(2,949 posts)Assult style weapons? Cue the definistas in 3 2 1...
Justice
(7,188 posts)Paladin
(28,272 posts)You've got the business I used to give Cabela's and Academy. I hope others do the same.
B2G
(9,766 posts)If the legal age is 18, how would that work?
xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)it is for religious reasons.
If pharmacies can refuse to fill 'morning after' prescriptions, why can't a sporting goods retailer's policy be an age limit?
IronLionZion
(45,528 posts)For example, there are bars that refuse alcohol service to anyone with vertical IDs even if they are of legal age. Or they can ban a specific person from the premises for being a known troublemaker. Height requirements for theme park rides.
It's fine as long as they are not violating discrimination laws such as refusing service only to white males, or Christians, or some other deeply oppressed demographic. Refusing service to someone because of their young age is not discrimination because they will turn 21 eventually.