Walmart has made the bold move to stop selling handgun ammunition and has asked people not to openly carry weapons in their stores across America.
It comes days after a shooting in Texas claimed seven lives as well as another mass shooting last month inside a Walmart store.
The company said in addition to handgun ammunition, it will also stop selling bullets for short-barrel rifles like the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber. It added that the ban will come into effect when all stocks have been depleted, rather than taking them off the shelves.
Walmart's CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement: "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.
Advert
"The status quo is unacceptable."
"We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand. 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.
"These incidents are concerning and we would like to avoid them, so 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 - unless they are authorized law enforcement officers.
Advert
"We believe the opportunity for someone to misinterpret a situation, even in open carry states, could lead to tragic results. We hope that everyone will understand the circumstances that led to this new policy and will respect the concerns of their fellow shoppers and our associates."
Naturally, the National Rifle Association is pissed at the move and has called it 'shameful' that the company has bowed to the 'pressure of the anti-gun elites'.
These moves are in addition to removing signs and displays for video games that are considered violent.
Advert
It will be interesting to see how Walmart staff deal with people who decide they still want to open carry through the store. They could introduce a drop off box where you can chuck your AR-15 or handgun while you shop for toilet paper.
For many people it's a step in the right direction and will hopefully make it a bit safer.
Featured Image Credit: PA