BY WILLIAM FEOLA
As companies like Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods have raised the age requirement to buy firearms and ammunition from 18 to 21, the decision has drawn mixed reactions from local students, adults and especially people on social media.
These announcements from two of the more prominent businesses in the country have thrown them right into the middle of the gun control debate, something that is a huge issue here in the United States.
This controversial stance in the gun control debate comes weeks after the Parkland, Florida shooting, where 17 students were killed and 14 were injured by former student Nikolas Cruz with an AR-15 style rifle.
Locally here in New Jersey, a state that has nearly 8.8 million citizens and almost 7.81 million guns owned but also some of the strictest gun laws in the country, many were ecstatic to see something new and different being done during these trying times. Others, however, were not so pleased with companies like Walmart and Dick’s because they feel like their rights are being infringed upon.
They did the right thing
On one side of the coin, you have people who are happy to see companies taking a stance to try and help end the massacres that seem to occur daily in our schools.
“I am so proud of Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods for raising the minimum age requirement to buy guns and ammo,” said Caroline Smith, a criminal justice major at Ramapo. “There is no need for an 18-year-old kid who’s barely an adult to have that kind of firepower, it’s ridiculous.
Others, however, were happy to see something being done during a time where Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on much of anything, but they think much more needs to be done.
“I was happy to see the age requirement raised but I just don’t think it’s enough,” said Rebecca Jackson, a psychology major at Ramapo. “We need more background checks, mental health screenings and so many other things but for right now it’s a good start.”
They have no right to do this
Of course, there are people who believe that their Second Amendment rights are being taken away and that what Walmart and Dick’s are doing is completely wrong.
“What Walmart, Dick’s and other companies are doing is absolutely ridiculous,” said Bill Marks, 65, of Hawthorne, New Jersey. “We have a right at 18 years old to own guns and no offense, but if a criminal wants to get a gun, a raise in age requirements isn’t going to stop them. They don’t follow the law anyway.”
Other local adults took it a step further.
“Any company that follows the ridiculous precedent set by Walmart and Dick’s will not get any of my business,” said Joe Melfi, 52, of Wyckoff, New Jersey. “They are doing this as a publicity stunt and they are taking a stance on an issue they know nothing of. I’ll shop at Cabelas from now on, since you know, they respect our rights as American citizens.”
Whatever side you take on the debate, one thing is for certain, gun control is an important issue and will continue to be until some sort of solution is made that can appease both sides while making schools and other public places safe for us and our children. Check out the social media posts as well as an audio clip from another student below to see how the rest of the country has reacted.
[Listen to the reaction below of James Lindenwood, a 17-year-old Hawthorne High School student who has been planning to buy a gun once he turned 18.]
“I absolutely do not agree with the minimum age to purchase a gun being raised to 21. It’s always been 18 and it should stay that way.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods stands to lose millions of dollars by stopping the sale of assault rifles. They decided that our children’s lives are more important than money
I call for every Politician to show the moral courage that @DICKS did
Say NO to money
Say YES to our kids’ lives— Ed Krassenstein ? (@EdKrassen) February 28, 2018
Dick’s Sporting Goods@DICKS
I don’t own a gun or plan to buy one, but I’ve bought a lot of other things from you, including a trampoline for my nephews.
I don’t like corps who cave to pcness, so I’m done buying anything at all from you. One of millions of Americans to be sure.— Philip Schuyler (@FiveRights) February 28, 2018
BOOM!!
Walmart says it will raise the age restriction to 21 for all gun purchases.
Thank you Walmart… doing what Congress refuses to do to protect our children.
RETWEET to show your appreciation and to encourage other companies to follow suit!#Walmart
— Brian Krassenstein? (@krassenstein) March 1, 2018
Hell, my tweet about states moving the voting age to 21 if they & Walmart think 18-19 yr-olds are not responsible to buy firearms left out one other thing. In California you have to be 21 to buy tobacco products but they trust 18 year olds to vote? Really? https://t.co/8NeFqF2IuB
— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) March 1, 2018
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Walmart and Dick’s are widely-known throughout the country, so your article is very localized. You took the localization a step further by getting quotes from native New Jersey-ans, even a Ramapo College student. I also enjoyed the fact that you included both perspectives regarding the issue, and didn’t pick a side. Very good news writing!