JONESBORO, Ark. – Walmart announced on Tuesday as a direct result of recent mass shootings, including at their own stores, that it will no longer sell handgun ammunition or ammunition used in short-barrel rifles (.223 and 5.56 caliber).

The Arkansas-based retailer is also telling shoppers not to open-carry in either Walmart or Sam’s Club locations unless they’re authorized law enforcement. 

Walmart does plan to sell the rest of their inventory on existing ammunition. Although they don’t sell handguns in most states, they still did in Alaska – until Tuesday. They are also cutting that out.

The statement makes it clear this is a result of mass shootings.

As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same. Our remaining assortment will be even more focused on the needs of hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts. It will include long barrel deer rifles and shotguns, much of the ammunition they require, as well as hunting and sporting accessories and apparel. We believe these actions will reduce our market share of ammunition from around 20% to a range of approximately 6 to 9%. – Walmart CEO Doug McMillion

No More Open Carry

…we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores or Sam’s Clubs in states where “open carry” is permitted…

In the issuance of this official statement, Walmart and Sam’s Club are bringing an end to the policy of allowing civilians to openly carry guns into the store. However, they also made it clear there were to be no changes in “policy or approach,” whatever that presently is, concerning concealed carry by customers with permits.

Walmart also called on leaders in Washington to pass laws to strengthen background checks and to take guns away from those determined to be a public danger. Specifically, the statement suggested the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons ban should be “debated to determine its effectiveness.”

Today, I’m sending letters to the White House and the Congressional leadership that call for action on these common sense measures. As we’ve seen before, these horrific events occur and then the spotlight fades. We should not allow that to happen. Congress and the administration should act. Given our decades of experience selling firearms, we are also offering to serve as a resource in the national debate on responsible gun sales.

We have a long heritage as a company of serving responsible hunters and sportsmen and women, and we’re going to continue doing so. Our founder, Sam Walton, was an avid outdoorsman who had a passion for quail hunting, and we’re headquartered in a state known for its duck hunting and deer hunting. My family raised bird dogs when I was growing up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and I’m a gun owner myself. We understand that heritage, our deeply rooted place in America and our influence as the world’s largest retailer. And we understand the responsibility that comes with it. We want what’s best for our customers, our associates and our communities. 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. The status quo is unacceptable.

Doug (McMillion, President and CEO of Walmart)

NRA Response

“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