According to Reuters, WalMart is discontinuing ammunition sales as current supplies dry up on handgun and certain popular rifle calibers. They are also discontinuing handgun sales in Alaska, the only state they currently sell handguns, and pulling that ammunition as well.
WalMart is the single largest retailer of firearms in the United States under their nationwide corporate umbrella. This move is in response to the mass shootings that have taken place, specifically the one that took place in their store in El Paso. It is not known if the shooter bought ammo from WalMart for that particular atrocity.
Walmart will stop selling short-barrel rifle ammunition such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber after clearing current stock. While this type of ammunition is commonly used in some hunting rifles, they are also used in large capacity clips on military-style weapons, the company said.
It sounds like if the ammunition can be used in a modern semi-auto rifle and available in a short configuration it will not longer be available for sale at the mega-retailer. This cut will likely include 5.56/.223, .308/7.62N, 7.62×39, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .38 SPL, .357 Mag, .357 Sig, 10mm, .300 BLK, and several others. Basically every popular caliber purchased regularly. WalMart, Dick’s tried this… lost money.
Wal-mart tries to be a socially conscious company and they are clearly making this decision to send a message. Sadly, that message will be all noise and no substance. Not selling ammunition to millions of gun owners based upon the actions of a few deranged individuals will not remotely hinder the next terrible human. It will inconvenience millions of law abiding shoppers who will take those dollars, and probably non-ammo dollars, to other locations.
It’s their company… and they can do as they choose with it. But this is entirely about the perception of the company in an unfortunate era where we have had several very public attacks. In addition to the ammunition changes they will also be requesting people not open carry in their stores and they will remove “violent” video game advertisements from their electronics departments.
And since the powers that be of WalMart will no longer serve your ammunition needs.
Widener’s has you covered.
