In the wake of the most recent school shooting in Florida, another major company has taken steps to distance itself from assault rifles.

Dick's Sporting Goods, which has one store in Tuscaloosa at the Shoppes at Legacy Park, announced on Tuesday that it would create new gun guidelines for its stores that include putting an end to assault rifle sales. The company posted its statement on Facebook and received more than 450,000 shares and 175,000 comments in eight hours.

Along with that, Dick's will raise the purchasing age to 21 and will no longer sell high capacity magazines. Here are the new guidelines:

  • 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.

Dick's posted the entire statement on its website, which you can read here, and explained the reason for this decision.

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.

Do you agree with the company's decision?

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