by Mallory Carlson ‘19

The Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO, Edward W. Stack, announced February 28 that the company will stop selling assault-style rifle and high-capacity magazines, which are mechanisms used to hold more than the standard number of rounds that the weapon has. The company will also raise its purchase age for all firearms to only people over 21.

The announcement comes two weeks after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The alleged shooter, Nikolas Cruz, had purchased a shotgun from a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in November of 2017, and although that specific weapon was not used in the recent shooting, the company was moved to make a change.

In a Good Morning America interview this morning, February 28, Stack explained the thought process behind the new change. “We did everything by the book, and we did everything the law required, and he was still able to buy a gun.”

Walmart, which along with Dick’s Sporting Goods, is one of the biggest gun sellers in the nation, announced the same day that they will also raise the age for buying firearms to 21. In addition, the company will also stop its sales of items resembling assault-style items, like toys and air guns.