Major National Retailer Stops Sale of Assault-Style Weapons

Dick's Sporting Goods, the nation's largest sporting goods retailer, is halting sales of selling assault-style weapons like the one used in the Parkland, Florida, high school shooting. There are 12 Dick's Sporting Goods stores in Connecticut.

Dick’s also no long will sell firearms to anyone under the age of 21 and is stopping the sale of high capacity magazines, the company said on Wednesday.

“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,” Edward Stack, Dick’s chairman and CEO said in a statement. “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.”

This isn't the first time Dick's has made changes in response to a school massacre. Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012, Dick's removed assault-style rifles from its main retail stores. But a few months later, the company began carrying the firearms at its outdoor and hunting Field & Stream stores.

Here is the full list of CT locations:

• Canton
• Danbury
• Enfield
• Lisbon
• Manchester
• Meriden
• Milford
• Newington
• North Haven
• Norwalk
• Plainville
• Waterford

Photo via Getty Images.