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Dick's Sporting Goods pulls assault-style rifles as Florida students return Dick's Sporting Goods pulls assault-style rifles as Florida students return
(about 2 hours later)
As students at the Florida school where 17 people were recently killed returned to classes, a major gun retailer has announced it will stop selling the kind of weapon used in the attack.As students at the Florida school where 17 people were recently killed returned to classes, a major gun retailer has announced it will stop selling the kind of weapon used in the attack.
Dick's Sporting Goods, which has more than 600 shops, said it would no longer sell assault-style rifles, and backed "common sense gun reform".Dick's Sporting Goods, which has more than 600 shops, said it would no longer sell assault-style rifles, and backed "common sense gun reform".
The move came as pupils and teachers made an emotional return to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.The move came as pupils and teachers made an emotional return to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Grief counsellors were on hand.Grief counsellors were on hand.
In the aftermath of the 14 February shooting, pressure has mounted on US politicians to act on gun control and for corporations to cut ties with the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA).In the aftermath of the 14 February shooting, pressure has mounted on US politicians to act on gun control and for corporations to cut ties with the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA).
Firms including Hertz car rental, United airlines and Delta airlines have ended discounts to NRA members.Firms including Hertz car rental, United airlines and Delta airlines have ended discounts to NRA members.
Dick's Sporting Goods announcement also came as Florida lawmakers proposed a package of gun control measures, including a controversial bill to arm school staff, including teachers. The announcement by Dick's Sporting Goods also came as Florida lawmakers proposed a package of gun control measures, among them a controversial bill to arm school staff, including teachers.
"We have tremendous respect and admiration for the students organising and making their voices heard regarding gun violence in schools and elsewhere in our country," Dick's Sporting Goods said in a statement. "We have heard you. The nation has heard you.""We have tremendous respect and admiration for the students organising and making their voices heard regarding gun violence in schools and elsewhere in our country," Dick's Sporting Goods said in a statement. "We have heard you. The nation has heard you."
The retailer said it was committing itself to:The retailer said it was committing itself to:
It said that while it supported the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms, "gun violence is an epidemic that's taking the lives of too many people".It said that while it supported the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms, "gun violence is an epidemic that's taking the lives of too many people".
Dick's CEO Edward Stack told CNN he expected a backlash from some customers, saying "the hunt business is an important part of the business, no doubt about it".Dick's CEO Edward Stack told CNN he expected a backlash from some customers, saying "the hunt business is an important part of the business, no doubt about it".
The Parkland shooting suspect, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, bought a gun at Dick's but not the AR-15-style weapon he is alleged to have used in the attack, Mr Stack said.The Parkland shooting suspect, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, bought a gun at Dick's but not the AR-15-style weapon he is alleged to have used in the attack, Mr Stack said.
"We did everything by the book, and we did everything that the law required, and he was still able to buy a gun," he told ABC."We did everything by the book, and we did everything that the law required, and he was still able to buy a gun," he told ABC.
Walmart, the largest seller of guns in the US, stopped selling high-powered rifles in its shops in 2015, citing low demand.Walmart, the largest seller of guns in the US, stopped selling high-powered rifles in its shops in 2015, citing low demand.
Emotional returnEmotional return
At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a line of police officers, school staff and community members bearing flowers greeted some 3,000 students who returned to classes on Wednesday morning.At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a line of police officers, school staff and community members bearing flowers greeted some 3,000 students who returned to classes on Wednesday morning.
David Hogg, a senior student and now leading activist, said it was "really hard to think about" what occurred two weeks ago.David Hogg, a senior student and now leading activist, said it was "really hard to think about" what occurred two weeks ago.
"Imagine getting in a plane crash and having to get back on the same plane again and again and again and being expected to learn and act like nothing's wrong," he told NBC News."Imagine getting in a plane crash and having to get back on the same plane again and again and again and being expected to learn and act like nothing's wrong," he told NBC News.
At the scene - Paul Blake, BBC News, South Florida
It was still dark outside when 16-year-old Lyliah Skinner packed her bag for school on Wednesday.
"They don't want us to bring backpacks today," she said, as she placed headphones and other items in a small shoulder purse. "We're not going to really be learning much today - it's all about healing."
Before leaving her home, she described feeling "kind of nervous because I'm scared it's gonna happen again".
Waiting for her grandmother to get ready, she listed the people she knew wouldn't be returning today - Chris Hixon, the athletic director she saw at sports games; Aaron Feis, a football coach, who she says helped direct traffic in the school parking lot; and Joaquin Oliver, who sat just in front of her in a class they shared.
With gospel music playing on the car's stereo, Lyliah's grandmother drove her to a park near the school. Outside, there was a memorial of flowers, signs and remembrances. Police were on every corner, making sure students felt safe.
"I love the memorial and I love the fact that everyone has showed their love. I just feel like our school looks like a graveyard a little bit now," she remarked, before hopping out of the car to complete the rest of her commute on foot.
Like hundreds of other students this morning, she faced a barrage of reporters shouting questions, asking how the teenagers felt.
But John Rivera was also there, standing with a bundle of carnations. "Welcome back," he said gently, handing each student a flower.
The handling of the shooting by authorities sparked criticism after it emerged that the FBI and local police failed to follow up on multiple tips about Mr Cruz, and that an armed deputy at the school had stayed outside the school building while the attack took place.The handling of the shooting by authorities sparked criticism after it emerged that the FBI and local police failed to follow up on multiple tips about Mr Cruz, and that an armed deputy at the school had stayed outside the school building while the attack took place.
Ernest Rospierski, a teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, earlier told the BBC: "Usually, I always greet the kids at the door."Ernest Rospierski, a teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, earlier told the BBC: "Usually, I always greet the kids at the door."
But this time he said he was going to tell them "how much it makes me legitimately excited to have them back in the room and to have the ability to be in front of them again".But this time he said he was going to tell them "how much it makes me legitimately excited to have them back in the room and to have the ability to be in front of them again".
The school's Building 12, the site of the shootings, will remain closed and cordoned off indefinitely.The school's Building 12, the site of the shootings, will remain closed and cordoned off indefinitely.
There will only be a half day of classes, but the focus for students will be on reconnecting with friends and teachers, and sharing their feelings. The focus for students was on reconnecting with friends and teachers, and sharing their feelings.
Florida shooting: Who are the victims?
Armed school 'marshals'Armed school 'marshals'
Members of Florida's State House and Senate will soon begin reviewing proposed bills related to firearms, which need their approval and also that of Governor Rick Scott.Members of Florida's State House and Senate will soon begin reviewing proposed bills related to firearms, which need their approval and also that of Governor Rick Scott.
Among other restrictions, they would raise the legal age to buy rifles from 18 to 21 and giving police more control to seize weapons from mentally ill people.Among other restrictions, they would raise the legal age to buy rifles from 18 to 21 and giving police more control to seize weapons from mentally ill people.
A controversial $67m voluntary programme to arm school staff, including teachers, would ensure they were trained by law enforcement and allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus, according to the New York Times.A controversial $67m voluntary programme to arm school staff, including teachers, would ensure they were trained by law enforcement and allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus, according to the New York Times.
Lawmakers had already given an initial green light to the "marshal programme", despite protests by many parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students.Lawmakers had already given an initial green light to the "marshal programme", despite protests by many parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students.
They argued that educators should not have to take on the role of the police. A similar programme already exists in Polk County, in central Florida.They argued that educators should not have to take on the role of the police. A similar programme already exists in Polk County, in central Florida.