Dick's Sporting Goods suspends sale of guns in wake of shooting
Reporter: Alexis Fernandez
Web Producer: Mekita Rivas
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - As the country mourns the victims of the Connecticut shooting, Dick's Sporting Goods, is remembering the victims in an unlikely way.
In a statement sent out today to the media, the company said:
"Out of respect for the victims and their families, during this time of national mourning we have removed all guns from sale and from display in our store nearest to Newtown and suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles in all of our stores chainwide."
A store in Oro Valley confirmed to 9 On Your Side that they are no longer carrying certain sniper rifles.
Back here at home, local gunshops like Black Weapons Armory also reacted to the news.
"I think it's cowardly, trying to do something after the fact to memorialize the victims is just to make themselves feel better -- doesn't change anything, doesn't prevent these events," said Tommy Rompel, the owner.
And says he doesn't plan to follow suit.
"If I pulled my guns off my shelves I would be out of business," he said. "This is my livelihood, this is how I support my family. And as law abiding citizens, we sell too."
He says since the shooting and talk of tougher gun laws from politicians -- gun sales have shot up.
"They're afraid they are losing their rights, so what they're doing is buying stuff that they're afraid is going to become illegal. And so they're stocking up, buying what they don't have and afraid of what could come," he said.
But only time will tell what -- if any -- laws will be put in place.
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