Walmart ends all handgun ammunition sales and asks customers not to carry guns into stores
Source: CNN Business
New York (CNN Business)Walmart on Tuesday announced it will reduce its gun and ammunition sales, one month after more than 20 people were killed in a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Walmart also pressured Congress to enact gun safety measures.
The company, America's largest retailer, said it will stop selling handgun ammunition and ammunition for short-barrel rifles after selling all of its current inventory. Walmart (WMT) will also stop selling handguns in Alaska, the only state where it still sells handguns. And Walmart will request that customers no longer openly carry guns into its 4,700 US stores, or its Sam's Club stores, in states that allow open carry. However, Walmart will continue to sell long barrel deer rifles and shotguns and much of the ammunition for those guns. Walmart will also continue to allow concealed carry by customers with permits in its stores.
In a memo to employees on Tuesday, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said Walmart's changes were prompted by the El Paso, Texas, shooting, as well as recent mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and Midland and Odessa, Texas. "In a complex situation lacking a simple solution, we are trying to take constructive steps to reduce the risk that events like these will happen again," he said. "The status quo is unacceptable." Walmart represents about 2% of the market for guns today, the company said for the first time recently.
Walmart believes it is not among the top three gun sellers in the industry, but it estimates it has about a 20% market share of ammunition sales. On Tuesday, McMillon said that Walmart's changes to ammunition policies will reduce its market share from around 20% to between 6% and 9%. "We believe it will likely drift toward the lower end of that range, over time, given the combination of these changes," he said.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/03/business/walmart-ends-handgun-ammo-sales/index.html
hlthe2b
(102,200 posts)BTW, I've noticed the gun/hunting section almost NEVER has staff attending when I've walked within sight of the area and they are usually situated to the back of the store where, I presume, there are back doors. How hard would it be to do a fast break, grab and run, one MIGHT wonder?
Maxheader
(4,371 posts)wally world..becoming civilized, one massacre at a time..
Response to hlthe2b (Reply #1)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Massacure
(7,517 posts)You'll get it, but your freedom will be short lived. Some police departments find the amount of shoplifting calls they receive from Walmart to be a nuisance. They'll likely take a stolen firearm much more seriously though.
hlthe2b
(102,200 posts)They get the stupid and passive ones, not the stealthy ones or the fast ones. Further, no employee is likely going to help take down someone who has just stolen a gun and ammo. Of course, police would go after them. Some might actually get away with it. The point is, why is it so open to attempts?
Bank employees don't take down burglars either. Walmart just needs to turn the surveillance footage over to the police.
NickB79
(19,233 posts)Cabelas, Bass Pro, Fleet Farm and Gander will be making millions, as will all the smaller gun stores.
mobeau69
(11,139 posts)They're taking a financial hit with this move but good for them.
Response to mobeau69 (Reply #3)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
LisaM
(27,800 posts)I'm taking the good where I can find it these days. Yes, other stores might do better, but Walmart is everywhere, and it's also a hint of a change in mindset.
japple
(9,819 posts)And others may follow Walmart's lead.
LisaM
(27,800 posts)that their life really isn't going to change for most of them, just because some people can't create weapons caches in their basements.
40RatRod
(532 posts)...around our local Walmart every time I go there.
TomSlick
(11,096 posts)is to yell "GUN!" as loudly as I can and move briskly toward the door shouting "GUN!"
I'm betting it empties the store.
orleans
(34,045 posts)(still won't shop there--haven't be in one for years)
Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
40RatRod This message was self-deleted by its author.
dweller
(23,625 posts)be frisking all customers on entry for
concealed weapons and valid permits, and denying entrance to those
packing without permits ?
you know, like they stop all exiting customers to check their receipts and bagged items, or when that 20# bag of dogchow is not in a plastic bag... when they don't even have a bag large enough available?
🤔
✌🏼
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Open carry is legal here, but rarely done. Nobody 'frisks' people on the way into Wal-Mart looking for expired CPL's.
Response to dweller (Reply #8)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Freethinker65
(10,009 posts)No need to piss off true hunters.
Just keep the gun nuts away from their other customers.
bucolic_frolic
(43,123 posts)maybe ammo is the problem.
underpants
(182,736 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,748 posts)I know the feeling!
(...and I'm trying to track a hurricane while releasing monarch butterflies that just eclosed in my little habitat outside too! )
sdfernando
(4,929 posts)but I still won't set foot in any Walmart or Sam's Club...haven't for many years and this certainly will not change my mind.
eggplant
(3,911 posts)There is zero reason that they can't just come out and ban carrying in the stores outright.
OliverQ
(3,363 posts)More PR than anything.
BumRushDaShow
(128,748 posts)The AK weapon sales thing is just a blip in their sales portfolio.
Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
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Mazeltov Cocktail
(569 posts)Because handguns and handgun ammunition is the real problem...might as well quit selling video games. . .
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)madville
(7,408 posts)Rifles are less than 5% annually
Doitnow
(1,103 posts)meaningful, maybe I'll be tempted to shop there. Like all those connected to Republicanism, I'm sure such attempts make Walmart look like they're trying to put lipstick on a pig. Too little. Too late.
Bengus81
(6,931 posts)SHRED
(28,136 posts)GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Small capacity rifles and shotguns.
At least they did 2 weeks ago. I thought they had stopped selling AR type guns. Maybe the policy is not in effect yet?
Raven123
(4,813 posts)madville
(7,408 posts)Private business can eject people from their property. They usually are required to ask them to leave first though.