NRA rips Dick’s ‘strange business model’ of destroying unsold guns

The National Rifle Association (NRA) ripped Dick’s Sporting Goods’s “strange business model” after the chain announced it would destroy some unsold guns.

“@DICKS decision isn’t focusing on the actual problem, what it is doing is punishing law-abiding citizens,” the NRA tweeted on Tuesday. “What a waste, and what a strange business model. #DefendTheSecond #2A #NRA”

.@DICKS decision isn’t focusing on the actual problem, what it is doing is punishing law-abiding citizens. What a waste, and what a strange business model. #DefendTheSecond #2A #NRA https://t.co/mUNmV6O1ot

— NRA (@NRA) April 17, 2018

The pro-gun group was responding to news that the sporting goods chain will destroy any weapons or accessories left in stock after the company’s decision to stop selling certain rifles.

{mosads}A spokeswoman told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last week that unsold merchandise would not be returned to the manufacturer. 

“We are in the process of destroying all firearms and accessories that are no longer for sale as a result of our February 28 policy change,” a spokeswoman said. “We are destroying the firearms in accordance with federal guidelines and regulations.”

Dick’s Sporting Goods announced in February that it would stop selling assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines at all locations, including its Field & Stream stores. It also banned anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing a gun at any of its stores. 

The move came after an assault-style rifle was used by a former student to kill 17 people in a Parkland, Fla., high school on Feb. 14.

While the actual weapon used in the massacre was not bought at one of their stores, CEO Edward Stack said that the suspected shooter had purchased a shotgun from one of their locations.

“When we looked at that and we found out that we did this, we had a pit in our stomachs and said we don’t want to be a part of this story and … we are not going to sell these any longer,” Stack said in February.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is facing two known lawsuits from young men under the age of 21 who say the policies infringe on their civil rights.