Fear & Loading: Dick’s Stockholders Pay for Its Anti-2A Activism

by
posted on August 30, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dicks.jpg

Shares of Dick’s Sporting Goods dropped by as much as 10 percent this week, according to Reuters, after the company reported a same-sales-stores drop of 1.9 percent, nearly three times the firm’s prediction of 0.62 percent.  The news service explained earlier this year, “Dick’s was one of the first retailers to stop selling assault rifles and high-capacity magazines as well as bar the sale of guns to people under age 21…” Officials anticipated a slight decrease in hunting gear purchases after the controversial move, but the much-anticipated increase in customer support was so short lived that it failed to improve the 700-store chain’s quarterly report.

Reuters failed to mention the company’s subsequent financial arrangement with gun-control lobbyists, a fact that led Springfield Armory, Hi-Point Firearms, Inland, Mossberg, Hogue and other firearm firms to summarily sever business relationships with the big-box chain. Springfield Armory’s announcement explained, “It is clear where Dick’s Sporting Goods and its subsidiary, Field & Stream, stand on the Second Amendment, and we want to be clear about our message in response. Their position runs counter to what we stand for as a company. At Springfield Armory, we believe in the right and principles fought for and secured by American patriots and our founding forefathers, without question. We will not accept Dick’s Sporting Goods’ continued attempts to deny Second Amendment freedoms to our fellow Americans.” 

Meanwhile Sportsman’s Warehouse, which issued a statement in April that it would not be changing its firearms inventory or sales policy, announced on Aug. 23 that during its second financial quarter of 2018, “Net sales increased by 6.2% to $203.3 million from $191.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. Same store sales increased by 0.2% from the comparable prior year period.”

CEO, President and Chairman Jon Baker explained during the report’s conference call [PDF], “Drilling down further on the composition of comparable sales for the second quarter. Firearm units across the company were up 8.3%, better than the adjusted NICS decline of 7.2% for the quarter in the states in which we serve. Our continued outperformance of the industry and market share gains are attributed to our continued investments in assortment expansion, online capabilities and expertise for varying subcategories and all user types as we continue to capitalize on market share opportunities.”

Latest

Walther Arms Pd380 Rifleman Review 1
Walther Arms Pd380 Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Black Beauty: Nimschke’s Masterpiece Sold By Rock Island Auction

German-born Louis Daniel Nimschke is widely recognized as one of the most talented and prolific firearm engravers of the 19th century.

Springfield Updates Saint Victor AR-15 Lineup

Since 2019, Springfield Armory has offered its Saint Victor line of AR-15s with enhanced features, and for 2025, the company has updated those features to keep pace with consumer demands.

In Memoriam: Wiley Clapp

Longtime American Rifleman Field Editor and contributor Wiley Clapp passed away June 4, 2025. He was 90 years old.

Fiocchi Of America Joins The Kinetic Group, HEVI-Shot Moving Operations

The Kinetic Group has officially added Fiocchi of America—and exclusive rights to Baschieri & Pellagri in the United States—to its lineup of top ammunition brands.

Inside NRA’s New America’s Rifle Challenge

NRA has developed a new competition designed to promote better marksmanship with America’s rifle—the AR-15 platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.