Dick's Sporting Goods has suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles in all of its stores chainwide, the company announced on its website. This includes the Dick's store in Canton off of Cumming Highway.
In a story first reported on CNN, the company made the decision in the wake of the school shooting in Newtown, CT, that left 20 children and 6 school staff members dead.
"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," company officials announced on the website.
"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," the statement continued.
"We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by this terrible tragedy," it concluded.
A modern sporting rifle, a term used for a semi-automatic rifle, is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, according to USLegal.com, Wikipedia and many online dictionaries.
No date was given for the return of sales of those types of guns.