Best-selling author becomes sporting goods salesman after balking at the display of rifles

Best-selling author Jeff Pearlman just wanted to buy his son a basketball at Big 5 Sporting Goods, but the store lost that $10 sale the second Pearlman spotted the display of hunting rifles.

Walked into @big5since55 to buy son a basketball. Saw this, walked right out pic.twitter.com/azJuyNmE3F

— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) December 1, 2018

….and?

— Lord Acton-A-Fool (@LordActonAFool) December 1, 2018

Why? What did you see that made you leave? Did they just not have any basketballs?

— Hills Rancher (@RancherHills) December 1, 2018

Mock him if you will about costing the store the sale of a basketball; just wait until his tweet spreads like wildfire and likely shuts down Big 5.

Well damn. How will they ever make their sales plan without your precious basketball sale?

— Nick Shaffer (@wolvdog316) December 1, 2018

That's the rub of social media, isn't it Cowboy? One basketball sale—no biggie. One basketball sale Tweeted out to 56,000 people. Different story. Peace.

— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) December 1, 2018

No, the rub of social media is getting ratio’d — it chafes because suddenly you’re aware that there are a lot of people who exist outside your bubble.

Fake outrage doesn't make a good tweet anymore.

— Orthodox boethius?☦ (@internet_m0m) December 1, 2018

pic.twitter.com/yh3ZRaa5vj

— The Gent (@The_Gent49) December 1, 2018

Yep, and thanks to your tweet, I’ll be shopping @big5since55 now.

— Chris Slusser (@Chris_Slusser) December 1, 2018

Yep, don't have them here but now I'll be visiting them online and watching for them when I travel.

Good advertising!

— Calhoun (@RCalh) December 1, 2018

You've inspired me to buy something from Big 5. Haven't been in ages since it's out of the way for me, but I shall make the trek. I'll spend at least $100 in your honor, since I need some new shoes and I'll get some .45acp. https://t.co/iYWuBJGiNB

— Harold Stickeehands (@StickeeNotes) December 1, 2018

Thanks for the reminder that the @big5since55 near me has good ammo prices right now. Added it to my list of errands this morning.

— schotts ?????? (@schotts) December 1, 2018

I'm sure they're devastated.

— Gary (@CaliB88) December 1, 2018

Did that mean store hurt your feelings?

— Bambam (@Bambam8109) December 1, 2018

I know right? Inanimate objects are SCAAAAARY!

— Keith (@KeithVreeland1) December 1, 2018

Tell the truth..you peed a little too didn't you?

— Jingle Bell Sasquatch (@mynameissquatch) December 1, 2018

Well then leftists like yourself are in no position to accuse gun owners of having tiny dicks when just the mere sight of guns in a store is enough to scare you out of the building. ?

— Matt Cipollone (@MattCipollone_) December 1, 2018

Did any of the sporting guns aim at you and fire any rounds?

— rex prescott (@rex1956) December 1, 2018

You poor thing! Do you need counseling?

— Tank Whisperer (@M1A1_Jockey) December 1, 2018

Maybe you're too soft for the world, just stay inside with the lights off

— RoorWade (@RoorWade) December 1, 2018

Grow up.

— Dan (@DanLtcR) December 1, 2018

So brave, thank you for your service

— MrMan (@moderateusrep) December 1, 2018

Pretty maids all in a row. Those are some nice sporting rifles used for hunting and sport.

— Matt Lunn (@iuhoosier1992) December 1, 2018

That’s a good spread of hunting and sport rifles. I approve.

— McCMatt (@McCMatt) December 1, 2018

Just hunting rifles and shotguns. Not even any hand guns. No ARs or AKs etc. either.

— MarineRebb (@MarineRebb) December 1, 2018

The funniest part is that half the guns in the picture are air rifles. Some of which are like one my parents bought me when I was 6 years old. Oh how the West has fallen.

— Assault Clip (@assaultclip) December 1, 2018

Air rifles and shotguns, the lot.

This is why no one takes gun control advocates seriously.

— Q (@Q40398085) December 1, 2018

Even Vice President Joe Biden practically begged American citizens to buy shotguns for self-defense.

I go shoot clays with a shotgun all the time. I think you’re being super dramatic right now.

— ithink (@ifoundtrouble) December 1, 2018

Did the archery equipment trigger you as well? What about the knives?

— ThunderAppreciated (@Thunder91965361) December 1, 2018

Keep signalling, dude

— R Herrold ❎? (@herrold) December 1, 2018

Did you go outside for the first time ?

— Tech Support Payne (@mapellejeff) December 1, 2018

cool story bro

— Garbage Pale Kid ☦️ (@LrdGftdPanther) December 1, 2018

The story would better if your “woke” son had some dialogue.

— Pinch ⭐️ (@BBPHredux) December 1, 2018

No one cares, baby.

— theRoddick (@sirRoddick) December 1, 2018

So? Should I do the same if I see one of your books in a bookstore? Free expression of a civil right. Grow up.

— Aware & Uncompliant (@RoadbikeRon) December 1, 2018

Good for you, take a stand for being defenseless….

— deweyolieberman (@deweyolieberman) December 1, 2018

All he’s saying is, guns should be sold at gun stores, not sporting goods stores.

If guns can only be sold at "gun" stores than it will easier for someone like Eric Holder to bully banks and credit card processors to not service gun stores thus ensuring gun stores are put out of business.

— Lily Fillion (@FillionLily) December 1, 2018

Even people who would happily consider additional gun control laws aren’t that intimidated by a wall of hunting rifles.

Not trolling here (I am for most gun control measures on hand guns and “assault” rifles) –

That appears to be all hunting rifles and shotguns – are you against selling “sporting” guns? Or against a store selling them alongside other sporting goods meant for kids?

— Art VanDeLeigh (@mickeysanto) December 1, 2018

As a hunter that supports common sense gun laws like universal background checks and even some of the more aggressive measures like required training and insurance, I find this post to be completely unproductive and absurd.

— Just Here for the Wohlz (@DontDoxMeBruh) December 1, 2018

I agree with you. I am also in support of gun control and responsible ownership. I am not a hunter but that was a common sight in my family member's homes. They had an assortment of shotguns and rifles for different hunting seasons. Nothing in the pic looks particularly menacing.

— December Jones (@DecemberJones2) December 1, 2018

Nothing in the pic looks particularly menacing … but sure, the government is only interested in taking away your scary looking AR-15s.

Related:

They HAD to be DICK'S! With this latest news things just got even WORSE for Dick's Sporting Goods https://t.co/BgxhoObC1R

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 5, 2018

Reminder to Deerfield residents: You have two weeks left to turn in your rifles and shotguns https://t.co/w9FTUXgCVr

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) June 3, 2018