Crime & Safety

School Shooting Prompts Dick's Sporting Goods to Suspend Rifle Sales

The suspension includes the Kennesaw location.

Days after 26 people—20 of them children—were killed when a man opened fire inside a Connecticut elementary school, Dick's Sporting Goods has suspended the sale of "modern sporting rifles" in all of its stores, including its Barrett Parkway location in Kennesaw.

"Out of respect for the victims and their families," the company said in a statement on its website, "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."

Officials originally told NBC News that the suspected shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, unsuccessfully tried to buy a rifle at a Dick's Sporting Goods location just days before the Dec. 14 shooting. They later said they could not confirm those reports.

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Lanza committed suicide and his mother was found dead at the home where the two lived, according to Newtown Patch.

FULL STATEMENT FROM DICK'S SPORTING GOODS

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We are extremely saddened by the unspeakable tragedy that occurred last week in Newtown, CT, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and to the entire community.

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.

We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by this terrible tragedy.


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