One month after a mass shooting in an El Paso Walmart left more than 20 people dead, the retailer has announced it will stop selling handgun ammunition and ammunition for short-barrel rifles in its stores after selling all its current inventory. As CNN reports, Walmart will also request that customers no longer openly carry guns in its 4,700 U.S. locations — even in states where it is legal to do so.
However, the company will continue to sell deer rifles and shotguns and ammunition for those guns and allow customers with concealed carry permits to carry their weapons in its stores.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a memo to employees on Tuesday (September 3) that the El Paso shooting inspired the change. “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,” he wrote. “The status quo is unacceptable.”
“We will treat law-abiding customers with respect, and we will have a very non-confrontational approach,” he added. “Our remaining assortment will be even more focused on the needs of hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts.”
Walmart stopped selling assault rifles in 2015 and raised its minimum gun purchasing age to 21 last year after the Parkland shooting.
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