Even Chief Executive Ed Stack was unsure in February how the new policies would affect sales, but warned that some buyers could avoid the store for outdoor and other equipment in the wake of its widely publicized action following the school shootings in Parkland, Florida. "There's been a number of people who have started shopping us, or said they're going to shop us more, because of the policy," said Chief Executive Officer Ed Stack on an earnings call with analysts Wednesday. More: Dick's Sporting Goods won't sell assault weapons after Parkland shooting, says CEO Ed Stack

More: Dick's Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack: 'We're going to be a winner'

Net income in the first quarter was up 3 percent on a 5 percent increase in sales, the company reported on Wednesday. The company said online sales increased by 24 percent in the first quarter as it recently realigned its online strategy, bringing the operation in-house after dispatching that segment to a third party for several years. First-quarter net income was $60.1 million, 59 cents a share, on sales of $1.9 billion, compared with net income of $58.2 million, 52 cents a share, on sales of $1.8 billion for the same period one year ago. The company opened eight new stores in the first quarter, compared to not a single new store opening in the fourth quarter and 25 new stores in the first quarter of 2017. As of May 5, 2018, the Company operated 724 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in 47 states, with approximately 38.4 million square feet, 94 Golf Galaxy stores in 32 states, with approximately 2.0 million square feet, and 35 Field & Stream stores in 16 states, with approximately 1.7 million square feet.
Amid concerns that the value of the company's stocks would fall after the decision to cease the sales of certain firearms, Dick's Sporting Goods reports a stronger than expected quarter, with shares up 27%.