NRA responds to Walmart's decision to stop selling handgun ammunition and open the door

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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WVLT / AP) – The National Rifle Association fought back against Walmart in a Facebook post following the decision to stop selling ammunition and transporting short in stores.

Walmart says it will stop selling ammunition for handguns and short-barreled rifles while asking customers not to openly carry guns in its stores, even though the law in force on allows.

The discounter based in Bentonville, Arkansas, announced on Tuesday that he would stop selling handgun ammunition as well as ammunition for short-barreled rifles, such as the .223 and 5.56 caliber used in type weapons military, having exhausted its current stocks.

The retailer is also asking customers to refrain from openly carrying firearms at its Walmart and Sam's Club stores, unless they are law enforcement officers. However, he stated that he would not change his policy with respect to customers holding a hidden porterage. Walmart says it's going to add posters to the stores to inform customers of these changes.

The Institute for Legislative Action of the NRA said in an article on Facebook "The greatest defense of freedom has always been our market economy. It is shameful to see Walmart succumb to pressure from the elites The Walmart lines will soon be replaced by lines at other retailers who further support America's fundamental freedoms. "

Last month, an armed man went to a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, killing 22 people. The gunman used an AK-type rifle – the one that Walmart already banned from selling – during the deadliest shootout in the company's history. Texas became an open port state in 2016, allowing people to openly carry guns in public.

The NRA also said in an article published on social networks "The truth is that Walmart's actions today will not make us safer." Rather than blame the criminal, Walmart has chosen to victimize the respectful Americans of Our leaders must be willing to approach the issues of crime, violence and mental health with sincerity and honesty. "

Walmart's actions will reduce its ammunition market share by about 20% to a range of about 6% to 9%, according to Tuesday's memo. About half of its more than 4,750 US stores sell firearms, about 2% of all US firearms. Most firearm sales occur in thousands of non-affiliated workshops or exhibitions, not in large retail chains.

Other companies have responded to public pressure to limit gun sales. Dick's Sporting Goods announced in March that he would stop selling firearms and ammunition in more than 125 of its 700 sites. Kroger announced last year that he would stop selling firearms and ammunition in his Fred Meyer stores in the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Kroger joined Walmart on Tuesday to ask clients not to openly carry their weapons while visiting the stores.

The National Rifle Association has published a tweet attacking Walmart's announcement. "It is shameful to see Walmart succumb to pressure from the gun elite." It was saying.

The country's largest retailer is facing increasing pressure from activists, employees and gun control politicians, after the shooting of El Paso and the second unrelated shooting at Dayton, in the United States. Ohio, which claimed the lives of nine people. A few days earlier, two Walmart workers were killed by another worker at a shop in Southaven, Mississippi.

As a result of the shooting in El Paso, Walmart began by ordering shop workers across the country to eliminate posters and video game showcases depicting violence. But that was not enough for the retailer to stop selling firearms. Critics have also asked Walmart to stop supporting NRA-backed politicians.

The retailer has long been found in a delicate position with its customers and its gun enthusiasts. Many of its stores are located in rural areas where hunters depend on Walmart for their equipment. Walmart tries to stand out by trying to take ownership of its hunting heritage while being a more responsible retailer.

In his new policy on "open door", Mr. McMillon said in his memo that individuals had attempted to make a statement by carrying weapons in his stores, just to scare workers and customers. But there are well-intentioned legally acting customers who have also inadvertently caused the evacuation of a store and the call of local law enforcement to respond.

Walmart and Kroger are joining a series of retailers and restaurants, including Starbucks, Target and Wendy's, asking patrons not to openly carry their firearms when they visit their premises. But they do not impose an absolute ban because they do not want to put their employees in conflict situations.

Walmart hopes to help other retailers by sharing its best practices for background checks. And the company, which has stopped selling assault rifles in 2015, such as the armor-piercing rifles used in several large-scale shootings, has called for more debate over the re-authorization of the weapons ban. assault, while calling on the government to strengthen the background check. Walmart said it sent Tuesday to the White House and congressional leaders letters calling for action on these "common sense" measures.

Mr. Kroger said Tuesday night that he was joining those who encourage elected officials to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and eliminate guns from those at risk of violence.

Over the past 15 years, Walmart has expanded its business beyond its roots in hunting and fishing, carrying items such as assault rifles in response to growing demand. But especially since 2015, the company has taken steps to limit the sale of ammunition and firearms, which often coincides with mass shootings in public.

In February 2018, Walmart announced that it would no longer sell firearms and ammunition to anyone under the age of 21 and also removed from its website items resembling rifles. assault. These movements were motivated by mass shootings in a high school in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people.

In 2015, Walmart stopped selling semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15 type rifle used in the Dayton shoot. The retailer does not sell high capacity magazines either. Dick's Sporting Good has stopped selling assault weapons in 2018.

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