NEW YORK -- Dick's Sporting Goods will no longer sell guns to anyone under the age of 21, and will no longer sell assault-style rifles, effective immediately, after the latest Parkland, Florida school shooting.

The store says they had already begun removing the “modern sporting rifles” from Dick’s after the Sandy Hook massacre, but will now remove them from sale at all 35 Field & Stream stores as well.

Dick's Chairman and CEO Edward Stack released a statement saying in part:

“We at DICK’S Sporting Goods are deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events in Parkland. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their loved ones. But thoughts and prayers are not enough.”

Firearms specialist Mike Benevento, the co-manager at Buffalo Niagara Gun Range, is a former Dick's employee. He noted that Dick's had removed all "the AR-type platforms" of guns from sale in New York following passage of the SAFE Act. He understands the reasoning behind the decision released Wednesday, and thinks the move is a good start, but believes more can be done to keep a firearm from falling into the wrong hands.

"Right now, the background check system only deals with wants and warrants. So, when we call in a background check for someone, whether they're gonna buy a handgun or a long gun, they're only looking at the FBI criminal background check," Benevento said. "They're only looking for wants and warrants on that individual. They're not looking to see if anyone's been adjudicated with a mental issue."

Stack says that the gunman, Nickolas Cruz, had purchased a gun at a Dick's store, but not the one used at the school shooting, even though all existing rules were followed. Stack says that the system that's in place won't stop sales to dangerous people and said lawmakers must do something.

“Clearly this indicates on so many levels that the systems in place are not effective to protect our kids and our citizens,” Stack said in his statement.

Stack said Dick's is prepared for any potential backlash, but will not change its policies on gun sales.

“We deeply believe that this country’s most precious gift is our children. They are our future. We must keep them safe,” Stack said, ending his statement.

At the Indoor Gun Range in Troy, a very different stance was taken. To General Manager Leslie McDermott, the issue is more complicated than just guns.

"It is mental illness. It's not the guns," McDermott said. "They don't hurt anyone sitting on a shelf. Guns don't hurt anyone in the right hands.

"It's people's right to own these, just like it's people's right to own cars and trucks. If they banned trucks, people would go out and buy trucks before they were illegal."

In Endicott, the decision wasn't sitting well with Ryan Avery.

"These shootings that are going on and everything, as much as I feel for the family, I believe it's not the gun or the object being used to do it, it's more of a mental health issue in my mind," he said.

Vicki Ruff of Vestal, meanwhile, showed up to Dick's -- but not to shop.

"I didn't need anything, I don't want anything," she said, "but to support Dick's in their very, very brave decision about guns and the sale of guns in their stores."

Hunters say the decision not to sell to anyone younger than 21 makes it more difficult for their children to be involved in the sport.

"My son, he goes hunting with me. He's 15, and now he can't go out and buy a gun until he's 21," said John Reidlinger of Endicott. "He's responsible. It's how you bring up your child, and to bring it to 21 is not going to help."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo commended the decision while calling out the federal government for doing "nothing."

"I commend Dick's Sporting Goods, a member of the New York family, for their leadership in taking smart measures to keep weapons out of the wrong hands. Founded in Binghamton, this New York-bred company is taking a principled stand and setting an example of responsible corporate leadership for businesses across the nation," Cuomo said.

Evan Sery in Albany, Kevin Jolly in Buffalo and Vince Briga in Binghamton contributed to this article.