Michigan teen unable to buy firearm sues Dick's for age discrimination

(WJBK) - A Michigan teen is suing sporting goods store chain Dick's for refusing to sell him a gun after the retailer changed its policy in the aftermath of the deadly Parkland school shooting.

The store announced last Wednesday that it was raising the age to purchase a firearm to 21 years old at its stores.

A high school senior in Battle Creek, 18-year-old Triston Fulton visited the Dick's store in Oakland Mall in Troy to buy a rifle but when he showed his ID, he wasn't even allowed to look at a rifle.  A Dick's worker told him that was the policy.

Dick's Sporting Goods to stop selling assault-style rifles

"Dick's corporate policy is not to sell to anyone under 21 years of age, even though Michigan allows for anyone over 18 year to purchase a firearm," said James Makowski.

Fulton's attorney says that the teen would have passed a federal background check, which legally qualifies him to buy a rifle in Michigan.  

"Stores should be able to violate people's civil rights? Are we going to stop allowing black people firearms? Are we going to stop allowing Mexicans to buy firearms? No."

Specifically, Makowski is suing Dick's for violation of Michigan's Elliot Larson law, which he says prevents discrimination based on age.

"Retailers are not responsible for what happens to a product. What's wrong with it, is that it is a constitutionally protected right and the law allows it, and they are discriminating against a whole group of people based on age," he said.

Dick's did not return request for the comment on this lawsuit. However, it had been reported that Dick's is refusing sales of all assault style rifles and all guns to those under 21. 

No court date has been set.