New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is pointing to Dick's Sporting Goods as proof that "responsible corporate leadership" is good for business.

Cuomo released a statement Thursday praising the company for changes it recently made to its policies pertaining to gun sales.

The governor said in the aftermath of the February mass shooting at a Florida high school, the "New York-bred company took a principled stand by ending sales of assault-style weapons." He also noted Dick's raised the age to buy a gun to 21.

Dick's Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack announced the company's policy changes two weeks after the Parkland shooting.

Cuomo said while the National Rifle Association "warned of financial disaster," Dick's experienced an increase in sales and earnings. The governor urged other businesses to "follow Dick's example and do the right thing."

The company's earnings report released on Wednesday showed online sales rose 24 percent in the first quarter of the year. Store sales during the period declined by 2.5 percent.

Dick's Sporting Goods was started by Dick Stack in Binghamton in 1948. The company now has its headquarters in the Pittsburgh area.

Dick's Sporting Goods operates a large distribution center in Conklin. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Dick's Sporting Goods operates a large distribution center in Conklin. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From KISS 104.1