Dick's halts sales of semi-automatic rifles

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Out of respect for the victims and families of last week's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Dick's Sporting Goods says it'll be removing some of its semi-automatic rifles from its store shelves nationwide.

The store will also be removing all guns from its store that is closest to Newtown, Connecticut. It's unclear how long the retailer will keep these suspensions in place.

Many believe this recent tragedy will become a turning point in the controversial gun control debate in this country.

A ten year ban on assault weapons ended back in 2004. Several states, including Massachusetts, chose to continue to ban magazines that hold more than 10 shots. But many semi-automatic weapons are still legal.