Academy Takes Rifles Off Display, Daniel Defense to Sever Ties

2nd Amendment – R2KBA Industry News Max Slowik This Week
Daniel Defense V9 Series M4: High Quality Makes Great Shooting Barrels—SHOT Show 2014

Daniel Defense V9 Series

Academy Sports and Outdoors is pulling modern sporting rifles from store shelves–ARs and other common semi-automatic guns with contemporary features including detachable magazines, adjustable stocks and other modular components–just as recent calls for increased gun control head to Washington. In response, Daniel Defense will no longer work with Academy, and has issued a statement detailing their position.

“As you know we take our partnership with our stocking retailers very seriously,” said Daniel Defense president and CEO Marty Daniel. “We are committed to serving and supplying them at the highest level and expect our retailers to have that same level of commitment to our brand and our industry. Unfortunately, Academy Sports has made a corporate decision, in the wake of the recent terrorist attack, to remove all MSRs from their website and in-store displays.

Other sporting goods stores in the past have made similar decisions, to stop selling or promoting modern sporting rifles and the response is usually negative, leading to losses in both short-term and long-term sales. Dick’s Sporting Goods stands as a good example of a company stalling out or losing business even as gun sales predictably continue to boom.

See Also: TIME TO CALL YOUR SENATORS – Senate Will Vote on Gun Control Bills

Time will tell if any other firearms manufacturers will cut ties with Academy Sports but this action is sure to draw a lot of fire from existing and potential Academy customers. Although some may see this as a careful business maneuver a large portion of the gun-owning community will take it as a condemnation of their constitutional rights.

academy sports orlando update

Page one of the “Orlando Update.” (Photo: Soldier Systems)

“Academy Sports has communicated that they intend to continue to sell the MSR category of firearms without displaying or advertising them publicly. As a prominent MSR brand, Daniel Defense cannot support decisions that are completely contrary to the values of our company and industry,” said Daniel. “Academy’s decision clearly segregates firearms by their appearance, which sends a dangerous message to our politicians that it’s acceptable to do so. We as an industry must stand and fight.”

Currently Academy will continue to sell these guns but not put them on display or promote them. The policy is not set in stone and may be temporary, although it’s also possible that Academy will just liquidate their remaining modern rifle stock and permanently adopt the new outline.

“Given Sunday’s tragic incident in Orlando and out of sensitivity for the victims, Academy Sports and Outdoors (“Academy”) is taking several steps related to the advertising and display of modern sporting rifles (MSRs),” states a leaked Academy memo called the “Orlando Update.” “We also wanted to take a moment to reinforce several company policies and provide you with guidelines for customer interactions and how to funnel media or policy conversations about modern sporting rifles.”

SEE ALSO: The Long-Awaited Glock 44 .22 LR is Here! – SHOT Show 2020

The memo then instructs all stores to return the described guns to safe storage and remove any “display” tags from their packaging. In addition to pulling these rifles from store shelves Academy is also dropping their airgun and airsoft equivalents–further distancing them from modern sporting rifles, and by extension, many gun owners.

Even if this is an interim policy decision this is sure to have a lasting effect on a large portion of Academy’s consumer base. Gun owners have a long memory for this type of action and have many alternate options when it comes to buying guns and accessories.

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  • Rocky July 14, 2018, 12:21 pm

    Women and Liberals running the corporate offices, shut ’em off, quit shopping there, make lots of internet noise about it so stocks go in the toilet.

    Why do you sell guns, if you’re anti-gun? There’s only one reason… Greed!

  • Al McBride July 14, 2018, 11:47 am

    After the decision to fire the employee that helped in the apprehension of a gun thief and Academy’s New Policy of MSR, I will take my business elsewhere. In past years of shopping there, I have spent a lot of money at Academy.

  • Stan Koziol May 11, 2018, 9:56 am

    My entire family took them off bookmarks! Informed our friends they turned against law abiding gun owners. Friends took them off their list and will do no business with them! Everyone on Face Book informing friends, family and business acquaintances not to do business with Academy! I’m sure gun manufacturers will not do business with them either!! They continue to bow to liberal assholes!!

  • JR Hutto April 27, 2018, 8:51 am

    Academy had just built two stores in Louisville, KY and I was happy one was near my home. Used to shop there in San Antonio when visiting friends. Now since they pulled this assinine stunt, I haven even driven through their parking lot nor patronized any of the other stores in the strip malls they occupy, nor will I. I don’t mean to pinish those other stores, it’s just an unintended consequence.

  • Ben March 2, 2018, 1:20 pm

    Unbelievably stupid on the part of Academy. They will soon learn that Texans will not tolerate soft spined moves to appease the scared liberal sheep. I’m starting a pot and selling squares on the date chapter 11 is sought…….I’ll take Nov. 18th 2018

  • Josh July 9, 2016, 3:54 am

    KKR & Co acquired Academy in 2011. It’s a huge jewish firm that now owns a huge Texas company. Most jews are left leaning and anti gun. Watch the company eventually do away with firearms all together.

    • Ronnie May 12, 2018, 2:32 pm

      I don’t think that is true. Some are but they have their own pro-gun group that is second to the NRA in membership or that’s what I’ve been told. I hope it’s true but if not there are a lot of older Jewish people who remember their parents telling them about when the Germans ok there guns backin the mid thirties.
      Listening to the meda(if you listen) you would think they are all left wing.
      My thoughts anyway.

  • BENJAMIN June 28, 2016, 12:33 pm

    They jest turned there back on are second amendment. SO I hope that any one that has bought from them to STOP as of now. I could say more but they might not let it stay here.

    • deanbob January 25, 2017, 1:20 pm

      A more positive way to say it is that I will support those retailers who also support the constitution.

    • Jim Hilbun February 28, 2018, 6:35 pm

      Most of the sponsors that have pulled out were unknown to me as being a sponsor to me. Good riddens!

  • Lynnchpin June 27, 2016, 8:58 pm

    The saddest part for me, is that Academy is a Texas-based company that is hq’ed not too far from my hometown and I’ve committed to always shop there first…been doing so for about 25 years. This decision to hide their stock does not ring true to the solidarity of Texans. Makes me say “WTF, where’s your spine”?

  • Batman June 27, 2016, 8:54 pm

    I will also not spend another dime at Academy. I have purchased many guns there. No more from this point forward. They can go the way of Sports Authority for all I care. And they’re within a mile of me. Sucks.

  • Justin Craig June 27, 2016, 8:54 pm

    Wow, ya gotta love the left-pandering knee-jerk reactions! It’s summertime, so you know that means that at least a few people are going to have heat strokes out on the golf course… better stop advertising or displaying golf clubs in store or online. I mean seriously, come on! To hell with those Academy sissy bastards.

  • Kyle Bickley June 26, 2016, 8:43 pm

    Your idiots! So if I told you about a mass shooting with a bolt action rifle with a scope , you gonna pull those too? UT Austin tower! People kill people! A gun has never killed anyone or anything thing! There is always a person on the trigger you morons!

    • deanbob January 25, 2017, 1:23 pm

      Trying to reason with people who only going on emotion is a lost cause. Maybe switching your buying to a retailer who supports you is the way to show our displeasure with their behavior.

  • Chuck Roast June 25, 2016, 8:56 pm

    I am old school, I am not a fan of the platform. But I am a fan of Madison. I will be notifying Academy that I shall not patronize their stores, but will instead allow the pencil necked bird watchers who purchase those stupid looking long billed fishing hats support them from now on. I know Ammo, handguns, and shotguns have a higher margin than stupid looking long billed bird watcher hats do, so it may be a little tougher for Academy to make a buck, but I am pissed off at the stupidity of their management. Give a pencil necked tofu eater an inch, they take a mile. Soon, Academy will go the way of Wal-Mart. Total New World Order “Globalisim” got Wally World. Now it got Academy.
    We’ll see in the end how it turns out. I’ll just pay a few cents more for my ammo, guns, tackle, clothing etc. to more deserving mom and pop stores.

  • Pwalker June 25, 2016, 8:42 pm

    What could they possibly think?when someone uses a machete in violence(think Africa)shouldn’t they quit selling machetes? How about baseball bats,ice picks,knives,tire irons and anything else a person can(and has) use of to commit violence? They should just admit that they are the perpetrators of these crimes and turn themselves in for prosecution. They have lost their way, forgetting who made them rich to begin with- certainly not the anti-gunners, anti sportsmen and so they will reap what they sow. I actually was on my way to the local academy as I looked at this article. Needless to say I did not and will no longer shop there. Same as Dick’s, same as wal- mart

  • B Johnston June 25, 2016, 11:34 am

    I just went to Academy website and emailed them they just lost a decades long loyal customer and that is not just for firearms and ammo but fishing, hunting, camping etc etc that I’ve spent thousands and thousands on over the years. Told them they were catering to a small minority that most likely doesn’t even patronize their business rather than their core customers like me. So long Academy! I’ll buy where the business supports it’s customer’s values!

  • Mike June 25, 2016, 9:30 am

    This foolish decision will be a bust for academy and a boom for our local gun stores. I am done with academy.

  • Mike C June 25, 2016, 2:41 am

    So instead of going after terrorists for an attack like Orlando, the US and media response is to take away OUR guns and engage in further anti-gun propaganda. Makes absolutely no sense. And some sporting goods stores are on this slap-happy anti AR bandwagon? Ignorant.

    I don’t think anyone who keeps current with gun-related events and supports 2A will shop for guns or anything else from Academy Sports. I wish them luck with their upcoming Chapter 11. Good riddance.

  • Bill June 25, 2016, 1:11 am

    Academy Sports: you are not part of the problem. You will never see another penny from me or anyone else in my family. Moreover, I will advertise your treason.

    • Bill June 25, 2016, 1:14 am

      “now” rather than “not”

  • Michael Crain June 24, 2016, 9:55 pm

    This very same decision is why I quit shopping at Dick’s and still don’t to this day. I haven’t bought an AR-15 type rifle yet but plan to and was checking out the types available at the time. When they pulled them from the shelves I started looking elsewhere. When are these lily-livered cowards going to learn? This is NOT the way to build up your customer base! And FYI to my legislators in NEPA I am a Democrat always watching how you vote on gun bills because I do believe in the 2nd amendment! You want to stop gun violence? Keep them out of the hands of terrorists, nut jobs that like to kill people, etc.

  • Doug Roy June 24, 2016, 6:38 pm

    I will never shop at Academy sports again.

    • Academy June 24, 2016, 9:03 pm

      That does it for me. I will not buy from Academy in the future, not even a pair of socks. . I would rather buy though the Internet or let the other retailers make the money.

  • Kane June 24, 2016, 6:22 pm

    So Academy Sports and Outdoors has decided to hide in the closet on MSR and somehow they believe will whether the storm. If they abandon the shooting public then they will be abandoned.

  • jimonthebeach June 24, 2016, 5:50 pm

    I didn’t do much shopping at Academy, but now I won’t do any since their management apparently have more regard for the sensitivities of liberal gun-banners than those of their customers.

  • Hank Holcomb June 24, 2016, 5:34 pm

    This is why I use local gun or pawn shops.

  • Campbell A King June 24, 2016, 3:34 pm

    Screw ’em….plenty other places to buy

  • Adino June 24, 2016, 12:52 pm

    More on this, from another gun site, which is even more reason to NEVER shop at them, ever:

    “The most shocking development is that the conference call outlined a new policy requiring any sale of more than 10 boxes in a caliber that Academy deems an “assault rifle caliber” will require the buyer to furnish personal information that Academy is planning on keeping in a database, other employees have stated that they were just directed to “report the transaction” with no clear outline on how to do so.”

    So, now the retailer has betrayed you. Watch others for the same thing.

  • Adino June 24, 2016, 12:39 pm

    The amazing thing is, the upper management who made this decision is so short sighted, they don’t realize that those who buy firearms also buy everything else they may have to offer. This is basic Economics 101 microeconomics, which I now feel they never took in college. How will the sale of this item affect the sale of that item? Will it cannibalize it and have a net sales increase of zero, or even negative? What about when you anger a percentage of your customer base that spends a thousand dollars on one item and shops for other items as well?

    As others have stated, I too don’t shop at a sporting goods store that does not stock certain firearms. I quit buying at Dick’s after they bought Galyan’s Trading Post and then quit selling evil pistols. No pistols? No purchases.

    For those who would consider shopping at Academy if they change their minds, why? Why would you hire Benedict Arnold because he promised to never betray us again? Would you hire the Rosenbergs if they promised to never sell our nuclear secrets to the Soviets any more? No, you would have nothing to do with them. If you start shopping there again, you support traitors who currently lie to you. Go to real gun stores.

    • Ovrwatch June 24, 2016, 3:34 pm

      Understanding the anger towards Dick’s Sporting goods pulling MSR’s and Handguns from their offerings, to be fair, they already had in their skunkworks plans on selling and increasing their commitment to selling all types of commercially available firearms which is now known as Field&Stream stores. They just could not let it be known until the Big Reveal.

      Field&Stream stores has successfully become one of the biggest retailers in firearms and all the other offerings for Hunting, Fishing, Camping and Archery. Their prices are low compared to their competitors and offer rewards even without having to sign up for store branded credit cards. Sales has increased at the my local F&S store since Academy Sports failed their customers.

      • 2B or not 2B 2A June 30, 2016, 7:08 am

        So that explains why the brand new Dick’s and Field & Stream were built next to each other her in my home state of AL and are connected from the inside. It’s like one big store, you can walk form one side to the other. Very interesting Ovrwatch, thank you for your comment.

    • Michael August 24, 2018, 10:33 am

      You are correct. A friend of mine is in upper management at Academy. In our discussions about firearms, he has told me the reason they sell their Glocks so competitively is that the person who comes into their store to purchase a Glock ( a very popular handgun) usually buys more items after that pirchase, like accessories, cleaning supplies, ammo, etc.,. And they keep coming back and buying, usually much more than the total price of the Glock. The low price of the Glock is just a loss leader. So when these stores (Dick’s, Academy and so on) alienate the lawful gun owner crowd, they in actuality lose twice as much in revenue as the price of the firearm they might not sell. Most of us who have disposable funds to use, are pretty conscientious about where we spend our money. Dick’s and Academy are now two places I no longer spend any money, not only on firearms, but sporting goods, bikes, kayaks, camping equipment, and on, aqnd on, and on! Are you bobble head corporate types getting this?

  • Greg June 24, 2016, 12:34 pm

    90+% of all large corporations are socialist in nature because upper management is mostly socialist (democrat) and globalist oriented.
    Most of the companies will fire you for carrying a firearm in their company vehicles or carrying on the job.
    Buy your guns and ammo from small dealers and at gun shows. Keep the people in business who support you.

    • Ray June 28, 2016, 10:47 am

      Where are you getting this 90% data from? I would argue the exact opposite. Most Corporate Business Leaders are more Red than Blue -actually. Many of them believe in free market enterprise, less corporate taxes and less govt. regulations, etc.
      I ,like many would say that’s more Republican Based Philosophy than Liberal.

  • Rick June 24, 2016, 11:25 am

    BOYCOTT…Academy Sports and Outdoors AND THEY WILL CHANGE THERE MINES……

  • Gordon Barker June 24, 2016, 11:12 am

    The purpose of the second amendment was to protect citizenry against an oppressive government. In 1776 the citizenry had the same kind of rifles the government had, thus to some extent equal firepower from the shoulder, with citizenry then being able to some extent sustain a type of guerilla warfare against an oppressive government. Vietnam (and to some extent Afghanistan) has shown that a foreign government cannot sustain against the guerilla warfare of a committed citizenry utilizing shoulder weaponry matching that of the foreign (to them oppressive) government. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Take away the large magazine AR or AK platform weaponry from the citizenry and we are defenseless against an oppressive government. Remember, this is why Japan did not invade the western shore of the USA in WW2.. They were afraid of our armed citizenry, not our military.

  • Derek June 24, 2016, 11:08 am

    I just sent this letter to Academy to inform them of my displeasure with them, I urge everyone to do them same.

    I was a huge supporter of Academy and use it as my only source of sporting equipment despite price. It saddens me to see your stance on MSR rifles. Why would you want to take away a constitutional right of mine? Why would you give into politics? Aren’t you in business to service your customers with their needs? A type of rifle did not kill those people in Orlando, a radical Islamic PERSON killed those people. He could have done it with numerous items but he chose a rifle. So you are going to jump on the bandwagon of the media and the people who want to take away our rights as Americans so you will not get any backlash. How about stand up for what is right, for what is protected by the constitution, for what your customer’s want. This is a time for the American people to unite and say “NO” to terror not guns. You doing this only supports the idea that it is the guns and not the person. We need to be tough on the lawmakers to put controls in for what kind people are allowed to be in the United States, that the real problem, not the guns. I have a MSR that sits in my closet and not once has it got up, went in the other room or into a store and killed anyone. Completely absurd what you have done, you have alienated a huge amount of your customer base and i personally will not spend one more penny with your company.

  • Donald Broadhurst June 24, 2016, 10:17 am

    Well another one bites the dust. That is another company that I will no longer shop at because of their caving in to the lies of the progressive socialists.

    • Chuck June 24, 2016, 10:42 am

      I’m right there with you. Screw Academy.

  • Larry June 24, 2016, 9:59 am

    Academy has succumbed to the PC crapola that is everywhere. Too bad. I liked that store but they are dead to me now.

  • Foster June 24, 2016, 9:52 am

    And I just commented how nice the hunting selection was at academy sports. They’ve lost my business forever

  • Just1Spark June 24, 2016, 9:50 am

    Great idea Academy! Now all the people who would never shop at Academy in the first place, will STILL never shop there anyways. lol

    People, understand, ANTI GUNNERS are the minority. They are MUCH MORE the minority than you even think. The media only broadcasts what its controllers want broadcast…. Just like any other industry.

    This does not equal MAJORITY. Infact, it typically means the opposite. They are playing every single person, with smoke and mirrors, making them believe these ‘issues’ are actually relevant and ‘huge’. They are not. You know it in your heart. Pay closer attention and you will see it to.

    Its the same way will all other upside down bullshit issues. Recall that NASA scientist that was ‘in trouble’ by the feminazi’s for his shirt. There was really only a hand full of psycho bitches behind that stunt. But they had the power of the MEDIA playing on their side.

    Use your brains. Dont put importance on an issue based off its air time. Put importance on an issue based off its relevance to LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY!

  • Wheelspinner June 24, 2016, 9:35 am

    They can not keep the doors open selling basketballs and charcoal grills. I have never bought a firearm from Academy but have picked up some ammo on occasion. They can close tomorrow for all I care…….Gander Mountain is not my next choice for firearms either. They are always higher than anybody in my area. I’ll stick to the smaller stores so I can talk to the owner and shake his hand for just being there.

    • Bruce Swart June 24, 2016, 10:16 am

      This is one of the reasons my trade usually goes to family owned stores and not Big Box Stores

    • Donald Broadhurst June 24, 2016, 10:20 am

      Give Freedom Munitions a try!

      • Dennis Towne June 24, 2016, 2:25 pm

        Only if you can wait a month for your ammo.

        • Paul Strickland June 25, 2016, 12:22 am

          At their prices I can wait. I’ve ordered from FM twice for 9mm ammo…..2000 rds…..under 18 cents per round. I can’t touch that locally. My last order took fourteen days.

    • BJG June 24, 2016, 6:09 pm

      Gander Mountain.Usually higher than everyone else? Got that right! The store here (Southern Il.) charges $7.00 for a box of a hundred 209 shotgun primers. You can get them just about anywhere else for half that price,even lower some places. Don’t even bother looking at rifles and shotguns. By the way I’ve never heard of Academy before.

  • Steve June 24, 2016, 9:28 am

    No more Academy for me. If they are going to knuckle under to the Lib’s of this country than they won’t get any more of my business. Even if they bring them back I would haft to think long and hard about doing business with them.

  • Boss June 24, 2016, 9:27 am

    Draino is has it right.
    Go to your local Academy and POLITLY thank the people behind the gun counter then tell them you cannot shop there any more due to their MSR political policy.
    Remember the people you are talking to are as upset as you are. After all it is their job(S) that probably is fixin to disappear along with the msr’s.

    The historical president I remember is when Sports Authority did pretty much the same thing. Wherever SA was you will probably find an empty building. They went down hard.

    Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
    John F. Kennedy

    Boss 2/4 3rd MarDiv

  • Amir Fazadh June 24, 2016, 9:21 am

    I don’t see any kitchen stores hiding their forks, yet hundreds die every day from obesity-related diseases. I used to really enjoy my trips to Academy, but no longer. I will be writing to their corpulent offices to let them know that they have lost my family’s business- and I used to buy a LOT of kit from them. Their genuflecting to King Obozo has not gone unnoticed. Perhaps they should change their name to Sports Authority, as this is not going to end well for them. The people of Texas, where they are the largest sports retailer, will not stand for this. One of the gun counter guys is a friend of mine, and I am going to let him know personally to expect a huge dropoff in sales, store-wide, as they have alienated at least half, if not 2/3, of their customer base. Whether the liberal cabal is enough to keep them afloat, I do not know…perhaps they will get a $5 billion bailout from their bedmate, Little Barry.

  • Glennon June 24, 2016, 9:19 am

    So long Academy Sports!!! I have never bought a gun from them, but I have purchased some shot gun shells and a lot of fishing gear and clothing. Never again will I step into this store for anything even though it is just down the road from my home. I wish they would pay as much attention to the fallen who keep our freedoms safe for us!!!

  • Ram6 June 24, 2016, 9:16 am

    I don’t shop at Dick’s for anything anymore because of this. I am an avid golfer and refuse to buy any golf equipment at Dick’s and instead shop exclusively across the street. Anyone who caves to the liberal position that MSRs are somehow different in actual action from other long guns which don’t look like them should be boycotted. These firearms are no different than any of a dozen other rifles which don’t carry the “dressed up” look. Politicians and liberals don’t have a clue about firearms anyway and should frankly be ignored. Academy should be ashamed to have caved to this kind of PC rhetoric.

  • John June 24, 2016, 9:04 am

    This is why we should only shop at our local gun stores. They have the knowledge and expertise. They also have the same passion and love of the 2nd Ammendment as we do. Shop local small business and stick it to all the big chains. None of them have the compassion we do. It’s all about money to them…

  • John June 24, 2016, 9:02 am

    This is why we should only shop at our local gun stores. They have the knowledge and expertise. They also have the same passion and love of the 2nd Ammendment as we do. Shop local small business and stick it to all the big chains. None of them have the compassion we do. It’s all about money to them…

  • Michael June 24, 2016, 8:58 am

    I side with Daniel Defense. I also sever my ties with Academy Sports. Proudly show your wares or join the ranks of cowards.

  • mpr June 24, 2016, 8:41 am

    Howard Stern just commented – “What if the Jews had Ar-15s?” What would have happened? I am going to go to my local store in Katy TX today to see if this is true and speak to the manager to voice my displeasure with this decision. I can buy elsewhere! Stop the PC nonsense, another BOYCOTT is in order. MAGA, GO TRUMP!

  • Wake_Up_America June 24, 2016, 8:27 am

    “F” Academy, I hate that cruddy store anyway and GREAT job Daniel Defense!!! I am proud to own one of your rifles!!!!!! In these times we need to stand up people and not give in…

  • Howard Van Dine June 24, 2016, 8:11 am

    I don’t spend a lot at Academy, less than $5,000/yr. I’m not personally into long guns, pretty much a pistol guy. However, Academy’s new position means that I’ll now have money that I would have spent with them, to spend at Gander Mtn, etc. I also do NOT shop at Dicks.

    If Academy changes their policy, please post that decision and I’ll re-consider mine!!

  • Mike June 24, 2016, 7:49 am

    Academy is on my “No-Buy List”. Daniel Defense moved up on next model to purchase list – Thanks DD

    • joe June 24, 2016, 8:23 am

      Ditto. Done! A clear sign of incompetent management – short their stock.

  • Infidel7.62 June 24, 2016, 7:39 am

    Simple, don’t buy anything there, ever again. They either want all of our business or none of it.

  • Aaron Tesch June 24, 2016, 7:33 am

    I will stand with the boycott group! I have previously enjoyed shopping at Academy on a semi-regular basis but no more. Thank god there are still plenty of alternative vendors who still have a backbone. The victims in Orlando were actually not victims of a gun but they were victims of a gun free zone.

  • steve June 24, 2016, 6:52 am

    Think that’s bad? I went into Target and tried to buy a pressure cooker the other day. They were stored in the back and had a 7 day waiting period for pickup!

  • RetNavet June 24, 2016, 6:05 am

    If Academy Sports truly felt a “sensitivity for the victims” , they would be cold calling every Gay, LGBT, Puerto Rican Poofter organization nationwide, offering them half off any and all firearms, most of all MSR’s.

  • Bryan M. June 24, 2016, 5:27 am

    I purchased ammo there last week, as they had the lowest price on 5.56 – M855 that I could find in lovely South AR/North LA…it will be my last purchase there – I guarantee you this. Absolutely NO BACKBONE!!! The high-up “suits” at Academy that made this decision may be educated in business, but obviously squeal and faint at the first sight of left-wing political pressure. I salute DD for making GREAT AR-15’s, M4’s, black-rifles, scary black-rifles, automatic(lol) rifles, the famous “assault” variety, military arms (can’t think of all the stupid names) – basically any product that winds up with a liberal-toungued nomenclature attached to it. I salute DD for standing firm, and I stand with them. In fact, it really ticks me off that other manufacturers haven’t spoken and reaffirmed their position of solidarity with DD, the American people – and the 2nd Amendment. A DDM4 will be my next purchase, based solely on this incident, and it sure as H€LL won’t come through this pathetic, cowardly chain!!! I will shop in a store who stands their ground, and I will line a company’s pockets – a company with guts and a backbone!
    Good Day Sir!

  • Bisley June 24, 2016, 5:22 am

    What sort of morons are running these sporting goods outfits? Evidently, the people in management aren’t familiar with the products they sell, or the people who buy them (particularly when it comes to guns).

    If they aren’t comfortable displaying rifles with politically incorrect looks, they shouldn’t be selling guns at all — or they should replace their management with people who know and use the things they sell. Either they support the right of the people to keep and bear arms, or they don’t — if they don’t, there are other places to buy from.

  • Richard Turner June 24, 2016, 3:27 am

    I quest they will have to take knives off of the shelves since knives are used to kill more people in America every year than semi-automatic rifles (assault weapons)!!!!!!!!!!

    Nearly five times as many murders are committed with knives than so-called “assault rifles,” according to the FBI.
    The new crime statistics released by the agency reveal that out of 11,961 murders performed within the U.S. in 2014, 660 were committed unarmed, 1,567 were committed with knives and only 248 murders were known to have been committed using rifles of any type, including single-shot long arms and “assault rifles” routinely demonized by gun control groups.
    Granted, the FBI did list 2,052 murders under “unknown firearm type,” but given the percentages of the known firearm categories, it is unlikely that more than four percent of the “unknown firearms” were in fact rifles, and less than that were semi-automatics.
    In other words, despite the calls to ban “military-style assault rifles” by anti-gun groups, conservatively less – and likely much less – than four percent of murders were committed using AR-15s, AK-47s and other semi-automatic long arms.

  • Reality4U June 24, 2016, 3:12 am

    Manufacturers should stop supply to dealers like this. The wholesale contract stated DISPLAY AND PROMOTE as part of the discount deal.

    • Adino June 24, 2016, 12:29 pm

      That is very important. Would the manufacturers who have that policy be able to charge them full retail for violation of those contractual requirements?

  • Matt June 19, 2016, 8:13 pm

    I happened to be in Academy on Saturday after reading this article, and sure enough every semi-auto, minus shotguns and 10/22’s, we’re off the shelves. I’m not sure if it was related to the “MSR” removal but all of the ar-15 mags and some accessories had tags saying “let us get this for you” implying it was tucked away in the back. Sure is a shame but at least they left the airsoft guns out.

    • Darryl June 24, 2016, 7:49 am

      not anymore they pulled those also. at least thats what it says in this story. i’ve spent my last dime at Academy.

  • DRAINO June 19, 2016, 6:47 pm

    HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS!!!…….IN THE WALLET!!!! Sure I respect their decision…..but it’s a dumb decision. But let’s all do them a favor. If you are a customer of Academy and wish to refrain from shopping there anymore due to this decision, then TELL THEM!! Write them, go into the store, Facebook, Twitter, whatever….Actually tell them that because of this decision, you will no longer give them your business. I will personally be paying a visit to my local Academy the next time I am in the mood for Chicken World for dinner. I will politely let them know they will no longer see me buying anything in their store. And nothing hurts a business like negative FB or twitter comments…lol!

    • DJ44-40 June 21, 2016, 11:53 am

      Draino,
      I’m right with you on this. I’m going to email customer service and let them know I won’t be buying from them until they cut the nonsense. I’m getting sick of people/companies who don’t have any guts. Let’s boycott them and make them know where we stand!!!

      • Jay Bird June 24, 2016, 8:26 am

        Draino’s right. It does no good to boycott unless the business knows the specific reason for the boycott.

  • Chris E Cole June 19, 2016, 6:43 pm

    No great loss. It’s been years since I bought a gun through any retail outlet. Came close last weekend at Cabelas, but changed my mind when the guy behind the counter assured me that you can use mini 14 nags in your AR.

  • Chish June 19, 2016, 1:54 pm

    That’s odd, car makers don’t hide their inventory everytime a religion of peacenik detonates a carbomb.

  • John Miller June 19, 2016, 12:42 am

    They deserve to go bankrupt and they will this was happening in the 80’s and 90’s and those company’s went down liked they deserved.

  • Aaron June 18, 2016, 6:02 pm

    I respect their decision to portage within the political confines of our country.

    Seeing as how liberals have forced their states to secede by denying inalienable rights to any American within their borders, we’re in a defacto state of civil war.

    But they will be feeling the repercussions.

    Liberals don’t buy these products. In the future, academy will see a lower revenue due to this.

    Their choice to pander to liberals feelings.

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