After another tragic mass shooting, American citizens are pleading for better gun control regulations. In the weeks following the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, companies have been severing ties to the National Rifle Association (NRA). Most recently, some companies include Hertz car rentals, MetLife insurance, and Delta Air Lines. Today, the chief executive of Dick's Sporting Goods announced that his company will be halting all sales of assault rifles.
Dick's is a notable gun retailer, making this a step in the right direction. The company states that this is a direct measure taken in response to the high school shooting two weeks ago. "When we saw what happened in Parkland, we were so disturbed and upset" said Edward Stack, whose dad founded the company in 1948, "We love these kids and their rallying cry, 'enough is enough.' It got to us." They've also changed their policy, and are restricting gun purchases by anyone under 21 years of age.
The sporting goods retailer continues to be conscious of what is going on around them. After the Sandy Hook tragedy, the company removed assault rifles from its main locations. "We don't want to be a part of a mass shooting," Stack shared. This decision is a turning point for gun reform. We will have to wait and see if others will follow their lead.
[via New York Times]