Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Edward Stack released a statement Wednesday morning announcing the chain will no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 and it will no longer sell high capacity magazines.
The announcement comes following the Feb. 14 Parkland shooting.
According to the statement, the Parkland shooter legally purchased a weapon from the chain in November, although it was not the weapon or type of weapon used in the shooting.
“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,” wrote Stack.
In addition to the age restriction and magazine ban, the store will no longer sell assault rifles at its 35 Field & Stream locations, which were already removed from its 715 Dick’s locations following the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. The Pittsburgh-based chain also reiterated that it will never and has never sold bump stocks, which increase the firepower of semi-automatic weapons
“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,” Stack wrote. “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.”
The statement goes on to urge elected officials to enact common sense gun reform such as banning assault rifles, bump stocks and high capacity magazines, raising the purchasing age to 21, conducting universal background checks, and closing “the private sale and gun show loophole that waives the necessity of background checks.”
“Some will say these steps can’t guarantee tragedies like Parkland will never happen again,” Stack wrote. “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.”
Dick’s has two locations in Madison.
