In the wake of last week’s Newtown massacre, national chain Dick’s Sporting Goods is pulling guns from its displays in stores near Newtown and suspending the sale of “modern sporting rifles” nationwide.
Dick's Sporting Goods, one of largest sporting goods retailers in the world, is suspending sale of certain kinds of semi-automatic rifles.
— Margoandhow (@Margoandhow) December 18, 2012
Dick's Sporting Goods has suspended sales of Modern Rifles in their stores, and guns altogether near Newtown, CT
— Zac Coffman-Magaha (@ZacCoffman) December 18, 2012
Dick's Sporting Goods is doing their part, removing rifles from their stores #GunControl
— ramona flowers (@MackenziePadula) December 18, 2012
Dick’s issued the following statement:
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 Sporting Goods for company of the month. They are no longer selling assault weapons. Ever. Anywhere.
— Helen Frink (@HelenFrink) December 18, 2012
Well, not exactly. As of now, the suspension is only temporary. Still, gun control advocates are lavishing praise on the company:
Dick's sporting goods is pulling semi automatic weapons off the shelves. Temporarily. Hallelujah! Here's to making it permanent.
— Cindy Dashnaw (@cdashnaw) December 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/_jacob_jones_/status/281139415118655488
https://twitter.com/ADR1ANNA_/status/281139386454769664
Thank you Ed Stack, CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods and an old friend, for suspending sales of modern rifles in your 500 stores.
— Cuse Alum & Bolts STM ?⚡️? (@JSASUALUM) December 18, 2012
Thank you Dick's Sporting goods for supporting the Friday's victims and making the right decision.
— Kelly Dwyer (@Daz4Kelly) December 18, 2012
@gretawire Kudos to Dick's Sporting Goods; this will be the start of a massive movement to eliminate automatic weapons from our society!
— A M (@Amocchio) December 18, 2012
But many more are not nearly as pleased at the news.
It's a bit discouraging to see all the negative reactions to Dick's Sporting Goods deciding to pull their assault rifles.
— Dan Highbrown (@Arcticc) December 18, 2012
In what should come as no surprise, proponents of gun rights are quite disgusted by what they see as capitulation to the anti-gun lobby:
@vindicator good lord– dick's isn't selling guns now?! It seems like there's a bit of an anti-gun agenda being pushed by the gov…
— John Taylor (@johnnytaylor) December 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/deacondarrell/status/281111295426711552
And, from the looks of things, regardless of how long the suspension lasts, Dick’s will be losing a lot of customers:
https://twitter.com/Marine_Sentinel/status/281089248474566656
https://twitter.com/LadyLiberty1885/status/281140037616295937
#gunban I'll never spend another dollar at Dick's Sporting Goods. They just announced they won't sell certain types of legal guns.
— Ethan Allen (@EthanAllenLaw) December 18, 2012
@irritatedwoman They don't call it Dick's for nothing.
— Abe Reagan (@FarRightRob) December 18, 2012
So long Dick’s…yes, that has two meanings.
RT @Lockestep1776: Dick’s Sporting Goods Suspends Rifle Sales: Amidst the political fallout sur…
— Captain Obnoxious (@CaptObnoxious) December 18, 2012
#Dick's Sporting Goods has temporarily banned the sale of AR-15's… I'll never set foot in one again.
— Sturg48 (@jcsturgeon) December 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/linkscomputer/status/281109194055233537
They just lost this customer! Dick's Sporting Goods Suspends Rifle Sales At All Stores http://t.co/nvhLzgGk clusterstock %28ClusterStock%29
— Shelly Hartman (@shellslynne) December 18, 2012
I was on my way to Dick's Sporting Goods to do some Christmas shopping. Not any more and never again. They no longer sell guns.
— Joseph Howes (@BetweenRichards) December 18, 2012
I won't be shopping at Dick's.
— Tish (@KamaainaInOC) December 18, 2012
I have decided to suspend my patronizing Dick's Sporting Goods. They apparently don't want my money. #2ndamendment .
— LR Ellis (@lr_ellis) December 18, 2012
@irritatedwoman Will now have difficultly buying any other items from Dick's.
— Gary (@ganorth) December 18, 2012
https://twitter.com/ReaganAlleyDog/status/281121645794578432
https://twitter.com/mattbthompson/status/281121006255501313
https://twitter.com/Skinner2008/status/281114040212803584
https://twitter.com/TheAdamMartello/status/281148544323301377
I will never step foot in another Dick's Sporting Goods. #boycottdicks #notoguncontrol #guncontrol
— AB ? (@AdamB10UG4) December 18, 2012
Online firearms retailer Cheaper Than Dirt has also suspended gun sales (though, interestingly, it is still selling gun accessories), and Walmart has pulled an online ad for a gun made by the same manufacturer as the gun used by Adam Lanza.
https://twitter.com/Michael_AAA3/status/281124442761998336
https://twitter.com/JBB2319/status/281148733100535808
https://twitter.com/politicalpwndit/status/281134308838739969
https://twitter.com/Gunservatively/status/281143091593887744
https://twitter.com/jc_step/status/281140675943227392
Fortunately, as of now, Walmart has no plans to halt gun sales. Let’s hope they continue to stand up for the Second Amendment.
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