Walmart removed guns and ammunition from its sales floors in all of its stores across the United States on Thursday. Its action is a precautionary measure to protect associates and consumers from possible civil disorder.

The retail giant is a major seller of ammunition and firearms, which are available in half of its 4,700 mega-stores. 

 In a statement released to media outlets, A spokesperson for Wamart explained, "We have seen some isolated civil unrest, and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers. These items do remain available for purchase by customers." 

The statement noted that the company is taking a “wait and see” attitude and does not have a date when guns and ammunition will be back on the shelves.

Walmart made the decision just days before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 3. In light of the recent violence and riots, there are fears that the election could spark civil disorders across the country. The company seeks to keep firearms from being stolen in the event of rioting, looting, or social unrest. It does not want firearms in the wrong hands. 

The 2020 violent protests

In May, Walmart removed guns and ammunition from stores after a cop caused the death of George Floyd, which set off riots in several cities and some Walmart stores were damaged and looted.

Most retailers remain concerned about the continuing riots and lootings that are happening in certain parts of the country. Protestors smashed windows, stole merchandise, and set some stores ablaze in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and other cities. In September, the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged over 300 individuals for crimes committed during protests across the United States.

Consumer demand for guns increased in 2020

The 2020 violence has led to higher consumer demand and record-breaking firearm sales in the United States. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), an industry trade group, has tracked and reported a record 12.1 million background checks for gun purchases in the first 6 months of 2020, up nearly 72% from 7.1 million background checks in 2019.

 Many first-time buyers have purchased guns in recent months. About 40% of gun sales involve buyers who never previously owned a gun, according to an NSSF survey of firearm retailers. It is estimated that about 5 million Americans bought a gun for the first time in 2020. 

Walmart has tightened up gun sales

In 2015, Walmart stopped selling assault-style weapons like the AR-15. The retail giant also advocated for strengthening background checks for gun buyers and taking guns out-of-the-hands of people with mental issues and people who pose a risk of committing gun violence.

In Walmart, the minimum age to buy firearms and ammunition was raised to 21, from 18, in 2018. And the company stopped the sale of handguns everywhere.

 Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has not given in to pressure to take the retail giant completely out of the gun business. He claimed in 2019 that the stores were continuing to focus on firearms used for hunting and sport shooting.

In 2019, a mentally deranged person went on a shooting spree at an El Paso, TX Walmart. 23 people were killed and others were wounded. 

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