Walmart announced a new policy on the sale of guns and ammunition following a mass shooting at a store in El Paso, Texas that left 22 people dead last month. The company says it will no longer sell handgun ammunition and ammunition for short-barrel rifles, including .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber, which is commonly used in AR-style rifles. Walmart will also stop selling handguns in Alaska, which was the only state in which Walmart still sold handguns.
The company will continue to sell the ammunition until the current stock runs out.
"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," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon wrote in a memo to employees. "The status quo is unacceptable."
Walmart is also asking customers to stop openly carrying guns in their stores. Walmart is not becoming a gun-free zone and will still allow shoppers to bring concealed weapons into the store as long as they are following all of the laws of their state.
"We will treat law-abiding customers with respect, and we will have a very non-confrontational approach," McMillon said. "Our remaining assortment will be even more focused on the needs of hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts."
Walmart will continue to sell long-barrel rifles and shotguns, along with the ammunition for both types of guns.
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