Two years after banning so-called “assault weapons, Dick’s Sporting Goods has announced it will now eliminate the hunting section and all firearms from a majority of its stores.
The retailer made the announcement while reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings Tuesday, according to Fox Business.
Apparently emboldened by increased sales of baseballs and outerwear, Dick’s will stop selling firearms in 440 of its stores and completely eliminate the hunting section in those locations by the end of this fiscal year.
The hunting section already had been eliminated from 125 Dick’s locations. Company CEO Edward Stack told Market Watch last year the departments would be replaced with “categories and products that can drive growth.”
Dick’s has not ruled out removing guns from all locations.
Columbia University facilities worker speaks out after terror takeover: ‘They held me hostage’ Watch: Nancy Pelosi Snaps at MSNBC Host, Calls Her a Trump ‘Apologist’ After Host Reminds Her of Crucial Detail Senate gridlock could worsen with Romney, Sinema, Manchin retirements: experts NY v Trump criminal trial begins its 3rd week as former president accused of gag order violations How an Outdoor Sit Spot Can Benefit You and Your Children’s Health Senators Issue an Ultimatum to NPR After ‘Ethical Failure’ at the Highest Levels Democratic mayor joins Kentucky GOP lawmakers to celebrate state funding for Louisville Watch: Potential VP Pick Says She’s Ready to Serve with Trump – ‘If That Call Came, I Would Say Yes’ Country Star Helps Clean Up Damage from Nebraska Tornado – ‘We’ll Do All We Can to Help’ New Mexico reaches record settlement with company over natural gas flaring 2 more sentenced in carjacking, kidnapping of FBI employee in South Dakota Subway Could Shrink to Smallest Size in Years as California’s $20 Minimum Wage Does Major Damage Ex-lawmaker George Santos offering Cameo videos with his drag queen alter ego RFK, Jr reveals path to presidency as Biden, Trump campaigns target race ‘spoiler’ Taylor Swift’s Boyfriend Travis Kelce Gets Extension Worth Millions, Becomes Highest-Paid Tight End in NFL
Stack said on an earnings call last August that the company was able to make up for a loss in gun sales and customers by adding more shoes and clothing to its inventory.
“We feel that we’re enthusiastic about the three main categories of our business — apparel, footwear and hardlines — and even with the continued deterioration in the hunt business and the firearms business, we’ve been able to make up for that in these other categories and we expect to be able to do that through the balance of the year,” he said on the call, according to Market Watch.
With the company so entrenched in its anti-gun stance, it has little to lose by eliminating hunting merchandise at this point.
After alienating gun owners, the sporting goods chain is free to exercise its liberal politics unrestricted as it attracts a new customer base.
Many firearms owners and enthusiasts have simply chosen to take their business elsewhere.
Other major retailers still sell firearms and hunting equipment, as do local retailers.
Columbia University facilities worker speaks out after terror takeover: ‘They held me hostage’ Watch: Nancy Pelosi Snaps at MSNBC Host, Calls Her a Trump ‘Apologist’ After Host Reminds Her of Crucial Detail Senate gridlock could worsen with Romney, Sinema, Manchin retirements: experts NY v Trump criminal trial begins its 3rd week as former president accused of gag order violations How an Outdoor Sit Spot Can Benefit You and Your Children’s Health Senators Issue an Ultimatum to NPR After ‘Ethical Failure’ at the Highest Levels Democratic mayor joins Kentucky GOP lawmakers to celebrate state funding for Louisville Watch: Potential VP Pick Says She’s Ready to Serve with Trump – ‘If That Call Came, I Would Say Yes’ Country Star Helps Clean Up Damage from Nebraska Tornado – ‘We’ll Do All We Can to Help’ New Mexico reaches record settlement with company over natural gas flaring 2 more sentenced in carjacking, kidnapping of FBI employee in South Dakota Subway Could Shrink to Smallest Size in Years as California’s $20 Minimum Wage Does Major Damage Ex-lawmaker George Santos offering Cameo videos with his drag queen alter ego RFK, Jr reveals path to presidency as Biden, Trump campaigns target race ‘spoiler’ Taylor Swift’s Boyfriend Travis Kelce Gets Extension Worth Millions, Becomes Highest-Paid Tight End in NFL
Dick’s went from selling firearms to joining the gun control lobby in 2018, after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.