Walmart has responded to the two deadly shootings by barring shoppers in their stores from openly carrying guns and also ending the sales of some types of ammunition.
"After selling through our current inventory commitments, we will discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber that, while commonly used in some hunting rifles, can also be used in large capacity clips on military-style weapons," CEO Doug McMillon said in a memo that was sent out to employees on Tuesday.
Walmart's Response to The Two Deadly Shootings in Their Stores
We’ve been working to understand the many important issues arising from the horrific events in El Paso and Southaven, as well as those raised in the national discussion around gun violence. Today, we’re sharing some next steps: https://t.co/chWzGf6Amv pic.twitter.com/Ye3xjjRdrh
— Walmart Inc. (@WalmartInc) September 3, 2019
Additionally Walmart will stop selling handguns in Alaska, the last remaining state where Walmart sells them.
"We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand," McMillon stated. "As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same."
This is in response to the recent shootings in Walmart stores in Southaven, Mississippi and El Paso, Texas.
Walmart accounts for 20% of the ammunition sales in the United States and 2% of the firearm sales.
On top of that McMillion has also sent letters to the government encouraging them to discuss stronger gun control laws.
"We encourage our nation's leaders to move forward and strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger," McMillon said. "We do not sell military-style rifles, and we believe the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons ban should be debated to determine its effectiveness."
The NRA released a statement with regards to Walmart's decision:
"It is shameful to see @Walmart succumb to the pressure of the anti-gun elites. Lines at Walmart will soon be replaced by lines at other retailers who are more supportive of America’s fundamental freedoms."
Read @NRA's statement on Walmart's decision here: pic.twitter.com/bmwAS9o0KP
— NRA (@NRA) September 3, 2019
How is this helping anyone? It's very unlikely someone will open carry inside the store before they decide to open fire. It seems as if they are doing this just so it appears they are taking action.
More Articles on Gun Control:
- Reverse Gun Control: The Philippines Wants to Hand Out Free Guns to the Public to Fight Drugs and Crime
- Kamala Harris Claims Her 2020 Gun Control Laws Would Stop the Philly Shooter - While Suspect is Shooting at Cops
- Beto: 'Gun Owners Have to Sell All Ak-47s and AR-15s to Government'
- NASCAR Rejects Gun Ads, Cites 'Gradual Shift' on Their Stance on Guns
- Just a Day After Proposing a Ban on Assault Weapons Beto O'Rourke Makes Surprise Visit to Arkansas Gun Show
No matter how strict gun control is, the type of person who committed these two deadly shootings is going to ignore gun laws. While this will please the media, this will not prevent shootings in the future.