Walmart and Kroger announce changes meant to curb gun violence; moves bring mixed reactions - Entrepreneur Generations

Yesterday retail giants Walmart and Kroger announced steps aimed at curbing gun violence in stores. Walmart made the first announcement, saying it will discontinue all sales of handgun ammunition and short-barrel rifle ammunition that can be used in military-style firearms in all Walmart and Sam's Club stores after their current stock runs out. The chain will also stop all handgun sales in Alaska, the only state where it sells them, and also asks customers to no longer openly carry firearms unless they are authorized law enforcement officers, even in states where open carry is permitted, Lauren Thomas reports for CNBC. 

The announcement comes more than a month after two deadly shootings in Walmarts this summer. The company initially responded by removing displays for violent video games, but did not alter its gun sale or carry policies. However, yesterday CEO Doug McMillon wrote in an announcement that, though the company has stopped selling military-style rifles such as the AR-15 and most handguns, has raised the purchase age to 21, and has required more stringent background checks on buyers, "it’s clear to us that the status quo is unacceptable." The new policy will reduce Walmart's market share of ammunition from about 20% to 6-9%, McMillon wrote.

Walmart will continue to allow customers with permits to concealed carry. However, "if someone opts to openly carry a gun into one of its stores, it's up to the store manager's discretion as to how to react. In states like Alaska or Wyoming, where 'open-carry' is more common, the manager might pull the customer aside and ask him or her to leave the gun in their vehicle the next time," a Walmart spokesperson told Kate Gibson of CBS News. But, he said, "the reaction might be stronger 'if it's a situation where it's causing alarm.'"

McMillon also called on the nation's leaders to strengthen background check laws and take weapons from people who pose an immediate danger. He equivocated on reauthorizing the assault weapons ban, but said the U.S. must do more to determine the root causes that lead to shootings. He also offered to work with other retailers to make the industry safer, Thomas reports.

Kroger followed Walmart in asking non-law enforcement customers to not open carry, Thomas reports for CNBC. "We are also joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence," said Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs Jessica Adelman in a statement.

Kroger began phasing out all firearm and ammo sales at its Fred Meyer stores in March 2018 after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School, which Adelman said demonstrated that "we recognize the growing chorus of Americans who are no longer comfortable with the status quo and who are advocating for concrete and common sense gun reforms," Thomas reports.

The announcements brought mixed reactions. On Twitter, many high-profile users interpreted the anti-open carry policy as mainly symbolic, though proponents of the move hailed it as a step in the right direction, and opponents panned it as virtue signaling, Aine Cain reports for Business Insider. 

One shopper at a Scranton-area Walmart said he disagreed with the decision, Peggy Lee reports for WNEP News. "People have to protect themselves in the street. The street is bad right now, and if you don't have any bullets or something to defend yourself, how are you going to defend yourself?" Michael Caseo told Lee. But shopper Jessica Petche said she approved the move: "I think that's absolutely needed. I don't think weapons should be available everywhere."

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2NKufeW Walmart and Kroger announce changes meant to curb gun violence; moves bring mixed reactions - Entrepreneur Generations

Posted by Entrepreneur Generations

Tweet