US

Some Walmart Stores Removes Guns And Ammo From Shelves Amid Protests

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Nicholas Elias Contributor
Font Size:

Walmart announced on Wednesday that ammo and firearms in some stores are now in a safe storage area in the store instead of on display.


This change only affects some of Walmart’s stores that have been in proximity to rioting and looting, according to Reuters. In a statement, the company said “We have temporarily removed firearms and ammunition from the sales floor in some stores out of an abundance of caution.” (RELATED: Denver Police Officer Fired For ‘Let’s Start A Riot’ Instagram Post)

The statement, obtained by Reuters, also said that the items are still available for purchase at the store locations. Walmart stopped selling certain types of ammunition last year after mass shootings. One of those shootings was at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

 Target, Apple, and other companies have been damaged or looted in some cities prompting those businesses to close early or entirely, according to Reuters.

Walmart represented 2% of the market for guns in 2019, but estimated that it represented 20% of ammunition sales, according to CNN. Walmart and other U.S. retailers were already reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and store closures, said Reuters.