Unlike Dick's, Port Huron shop not dropping assault rifle sales
As a major gun retailer announced it will no longer be selling assault-style rifles, a local shop said proper precautions are taken in those sales.
"This is a pro shop, the people I hire here are more than just firearm enthusiasts, they're firearm specialists," said Tim Daniels, owner of the Hock Shop and Sporting Center in Port Huron.
Daniels said federal background checks are done and if a potential customer is acting odd or overly aggressive, a sale won't be made.
"No way in hell," he said of selling a firearm to someone he deemed unfit.
Dick's Sporting Goods announced Wednesday it is ending its sales of assault-style rifles.
A call to the Dick's Sporting Goods in Fort Gratiot was referred to corporate press contacts who did not immediately return a phone call or email seeking comment Wednesday morning.
Daniels said gun sales are regulated and precautions are being taken.
He said he has sold countless rifles to people interested in sport shooting. Daniels stressed the AR-15s and AK-47s he sells are not automatic weapons — one pull of the trigger releases one bullet.
Daniels also compared stronger gun regulations to lowering speed limits to 15-25 mph — it would reduce traffic deaths, but are you willing to give up traveling at 75 mph?
People who answered the phones at local gun stores VF Sports and Bullets and Broadheads declined to comment on Dick's announcement.
Dick's Sporting Goods announced it would also no longer be selling high-capacity magazines and will no longer sell guns to anyone under 21 years old.
"We at Dick’s Sporting Goods are deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events in Parkland. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones," the company said in a statement.
"But thoughts and prayers are not enough.
"We have tremendous respect and admiration for the students organizing and making their voices heard regarding gun violence in schools and elsewhere in our country.
"We have heard you. The nation has heard you.
"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. 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.
"Following all of the rules and laws, we sold a shotgun to the Parkland shooter in November of 2017. It was not the gun, nor type of gun, he used in the shooting. But it could have been.
"Clearly this indicates on so many levels that the systems in place are not effective to protect our kids and our citizens.
"We believe it’s time to do something about it."
The statement continued that beginning Wednesday it will be doing the following:
- We will no longer sell assault-style rifles, also referred to as modern sporting rifles. We had already removed them from all Dick's stores after the Sandy Hook massacre, but we will now remove them from sale at all 35 Field & Stream stores.
- We will no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age.
- We will no longer sell high capacity magazines.
- We never have and never will sell bump stocks that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.
The company also issued a plea to elected officials in the statement:
- Ban assault-style firearms
- Raise the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21
- Ban high capacity magazines and bump stocks
- Require universal background checks that include relevant mental health information and previous interactions with the law
- Ensure a complete universal database of those banned from buying firearms
- Close the private sale and gun show loophole that waives the necessity of background checks
Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.