Dick's Sporting Goods is the largest sporting goods retail chain in the United States, operating 850+ stores across 47 states (NYSE: DKS). Founded in 1948 by Dick Stack as a bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, New York, the company has grown into a dominant force in mainstream sporting goods retail.

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Dick's Sporting Goods made a historic business decision in 2018: after the Parkland shooting, the company removed assault-style rifles from all stores, raised the minimum purchase age to 21, and destroyed $5 million in inventory. This decision permanently altered their relationship with the firearms community and defined the company's trajectory.
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Key milestones:

• 1948 — Dick Stack opens a bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, NY (using $300 from his grandmother's cookie jar)
• 1958 — First full sporting goods store
• 1990s — Rapid expansion beyond New York; becomes regional chain
• 2002 — IPO on NYSE (DKS)
• 2013 — Stops selling modern sporting rifles after Sandy Hook (temporarily)
• 2016-17 — Field & Stream outdoor specialty stores launched
• 2018 — Permanently removes AR-style rifles; raises purchase age to 21; destroys $5M inventory
• 2019 — Begins removing firearms entirely from some stores
• 2020s — 850+ stores; shifted focus toward athletic/team sports; firearms phased out of most locations

Shopping Guide

Dick's is a mainstream athletic and sporting goods retailer — not a firearms destination. The firearms department is now a minor part of the business, absent from many locations entirely.

What Dick's does well:

• Mainstream sporting goods (athletic equipment, team sports, apparel)
• Golf Galaxy integration at select locations
• ScoreCard rewards program with 2% back
• Convenient suburban locations in major metro areas
• Strong curbside pickup and online ordering

What Dick's doesn't do well (firearms):

• Severely restricted firearms selection (no ARs, no 10+ round magazines)
• Pricing is rarely competitive with dedicated firearms retailers
• Staff expertise on firearms is generally poor
• Many locations have eliminated firearms entirely
• Not a serious option for most firearms buyers

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The firearms community's perspective: After the 2018 policy changes, most firearms enthusiasts actively avoid Dick's. The company has leaned into this — they've calculated that the mainstream sports market is more profitable than the firearms customer they lost. This is a business strategy, not an oversight.
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Firearms Department

Where firearms departments still exist, Dick's carries a limited, mainstream selection:

What's available (where firearms are still sold):

Ammunition:

• Common hunting and target calibers stocked
• No 5.56/.223 in stores that don't sell rifles chambered for it
• Pricing is rarely the best deal — check Academy, Walmart, or online first
• Purchase limits during shortage periods

Background check process:

• Follows all federal and state requirements PLUS company's own additional restrictions
• Minimum age 21 for ALL firearms purchases (federal minimum is 18 for long guns)
• Some customers report overly cautious denial procedures

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Should you buy a firearm at Dick's? For most firearms buyers, the answer is no. The selection is limited, pricing isn't competitive, staff knowledge is minimal, and the company's corporate stance has alienated the firearms community. Other retailers offer better selection, pricing, and expertise.
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Store Locations

Dick's operates 850+ stores across 47 states — one of the largest retail footprints in sporting goods:

Store formats:

• Dick's Sporting Goods — Standard 50,000-80,000 sq ft stores
• Golf Galaxy — Integrated into some Dick's locations
• House of Sport — Experiential mega-stores with climbing walls, batting cages (newer concept)
• Field & Stream — Discontinued; outdoor specialty format that didn't survive

Firearms department status by region:

• Many urban/suburban locations have removed firearms entirely
• Rural and hunting-oriented markets more likely to retain firearms departments
• Trend is toward continued firearms reduction across the chain
• Check online or call before visiting specifically for firearms

Important note: Dick's is an excellent general sporting goods retailer for athletic equipment, team sports, golf, and outdoor apparel. The company's firearms story is notable primarily for its departure from the market — not for what it currently offers gun buyers.

References

• Dick's Sporting Goods official site: dickssportinggoods.com
• SEC filings and annual reports (NYSE: DKS)
• Business press coverage of 2018 firearms policy changes
• Consumer reviews: general sporting goods + firearms communities

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Have you bought firearms or ammo from Dick's, and if so, how does their inventory and pricing compare to your local gun shops or online options?