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proud2BlibKansan

(96,793 posts)
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 03:07 PM Dec 2012

Dick's Sporting Goods Suspends Sale Of "Modern Sporting Rifles" In Wake Of Newtown Massacre

[UPDATE BELOW] In the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary school, one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world has decided to suspend the sale of certain types of semi-automatic rifles. Dick's Sporting Goods announced today that it has pulled all guns from its store nearest to Newtown, Connecticut (located in Danbury, about 10 miles away).

Here's the company's 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, which was founded in Binghamton, New York but relocated headquarters to Pittsburgh in 1994, has over 500 locations in some 44 states. It's unclear how long this suspension of "modern sporting rifles" sales will remain in effect—we called and emailed Dick's press office and will update when we hear back. But the company issued this statement to CNN in regards to the Newtown massacre: "At this time, reports that the suspect [Adam Lanza] visited one of our stores last week have not been confirmed by law enforcement. Based on our records, we can confirm that no firearms were sold to the suspect identified in this case."

http://gothamist.com/2012/12/18/dicks_sporting_goods_suspends_sale.php

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Dick's Sporting Goods Suspends Sale Of "Modern Sporting Rifles" In Wake Of Newtown Massacre (Original Post) proud2BlibKansan Dec 2012 OP
I'm not sure what a "modern sporting rifle" is, but ... frazzled Dec 2012 #1
Military style semi-automatic weapons MrScorpio Dec 2012 #2

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
1. I'm not sure what a "modern sporting rifle" is, but ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 03:26 PM
Dec 2012

I assume it's the type of semi-automatic rifle the Newtown killer used. Doesn't sound in the least bit "sporting" to me. (Nor "modern," but that's another story, and an aesthetic judgment.)

But I'm glad that this chain is being forced to step back from these things, just as Cerberus, the investment fund, was forced to divest itself of its gun-manufacturing holdings. Take note, people: we are seeing a watershed--make it whiplash--change in the public attitude.

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