Walmart Pulls Guns Off Shelves To Avoid Civil Unrest

As of Thursday Walmart has decided to remove all guns and ammunition from their U.S Stores. The decision was made due to the rising tensions surrounding the 2020 election. The company is now being proactive in trying to avoid having a hand in any civil unrest that may occur.

“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,” a Walmart spokesperson said.

The cut back actually began in 1993 when the company stopped selling handguns in its U.S stores. In 2015 the company stopped the sales of AR-15 rifles and selling assault-style weapons. The 2019 shooting that took place at one of their El Paso, Texas location, which claimed the lives of 23 people, caused the stop distribution of semiautomatic and handgun ammunition.

“Our remaining assortment of firearms will focus on hunting and shooting sports.” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said. Following the tragic death of Geroge Floyd in June Walmart stores across the nation were victims of looting and damages that took place during the protest. The removal of firearms and ammunition from their floors is a protocol to protect their employees and U.S Citizens. Customers interested in buying firearms or ammunition will now have request them.

There has been a great deal of tension rising surrounding the 2020 election. 2020 has a concurrent history of civil unrest. As a result, American citizens are clutching on to their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. According to the Brookings Institution, Average daily sales of firearms skyrocketed from 92,000 to over 120,000 per day.  The National Shooting Sports Foundation also documented a 72% surplus of background checks for gun purchases. In just one-year gun checks jumped from 7.1 million to12.1 million. The NSSF also noted that 5 million of the 2020 purchases were from first-time gun owners and 58%  of the purchases were made by African Americans.