Here is how Connecticut defines "public accommodation" in their discrimination law, as well as their age-protected discrimination statute:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/pub/chap_81 ... sec_46a-63Quote:
Sec. 46a-63. Discriminatory public accommodation practices: Definitions. As used in this chapter:
(1) “Place of public accommodation, resort or amusement” means any establishment which caters or offers its services or facilities or goods to the general public, including, but not limited to, any commercial property or building lot, on which it is intended that a commercial building will be constructed or offered for sale or rent;
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Sec. 46a-64. (Formerly Sec. 53-35). Discriminatory public accommodations practices prohibited. Penalty. (a) It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this section: (1) To deny any person within the jurisdiction of this state full and equal accommodations in any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age...
Here is how Delaware uses and defines "public accommodation" and "age" in their relevant statute:
http://delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c045/Quote:
§ 4501 Purpose and construction.
This chapter is intended to prevent, in places of public accommodations, practices of discrimination against any person because of race, age, marital status, creed, color, sex, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that the rights herein provided for all people, without regard to race, age,
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(14) A "place of public accommodation'' means any establishment which caters to or offers goods or services or facilities to, or solicits patronage from, the general public. This definition includes state agencies, local government agencies, and state-funded agencies performing public functions. This definition shall apply to hotels and motels catering to the transient public, but it shall not apply to the sale or rental of houses, housing units, apartments, rooming houses or other dwellings, nor to tourist homes with less than 10 rental units catering to the transient public.
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§ 4504 Unlawful practices.
(a) No person being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, director, supervisor, superintendent, agent or employee of any place of public accommodation, shall directly or indirectly refuse, withhold from or deny to any person, on account of race, age, marital status, creed, color, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin, any of the accommodation, facilities, advantages or privileges thereof.
Here is how Louisiana uses and defines "public accommodation" and "age" in their civil rights statute:
http://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=104275Quote:
(5) "Discriminatory practice in connection with public accommodations" means any direct or indirect act or practice of exclusion, distinction, restriction, segregation, limitation, refusal, denial, or any other act or practice of differentiation or preference in the treatment of a person or persons because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
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(9) "Place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement" means any place, store, or other establishment, either licensed or unlicensed, which supplies goods or services to the general public or which solicits or accepts the patronage or trade of the general public, or which is supported directly or indirectly by government funds.
Do you think the respective courts in Connecticut, Delaware, and Louisiana would view Dick's Sporting Goods locations operating within their states to be places of "public accommodation"?
I am confident they would, and thus Dick's Sporting Goods is subject to their age discrimination laws. Because otherwise, your arguing means that Dick's could also refuse to sell to someone because of their religion, or gender, or race. This is absurd logic not in keeping with what we all should know about how our laws work, but not unsurprising coming from you.