One of the biggest suppliers of sporting goods in the United States has revealed that it will no longer be selling assault-rifles in its stores.
Dick's Sporting Goods made the announcement on Wednesday, with the company saying that the decision was made in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida last week.
According to the company, they will stop selling guns to anyone under the age of 21, as well as banning the sale of "high capacity magazine" and "bump stocks". In a statement posted on Twitter, the company said:
"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.
"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."
They went on to say:
"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 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.
"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 it’s time to do something about it."
The company said that beginning today, they will be 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 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."
The company also said that they implore elected official to enact some "common sense gun reform" and offer up a list of regulations that they would like to see. Edward W. Stack, the Chairman and CEO of the company, said:
"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.
"We deeply believe that this country’s most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe."
It's a huge leap by the chain, which will no doubt suffer losses as a result of their stance.
