Walmart Plans To Dramatically Step Back From Ammunition Sales After Horrific Shootings

(CNBC) Lauren Thomas Sep 3 2019 7:10 PM Walmart said Tuesday it will discontinue all sales of handgun ammunition and sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition that can be used with military-style weapons following two horrific" shootings at Walmart stores this summer. It will also stop all handgun sales in Alaska marking its complete exit from the handguns category. The biggest retailer in the world also is asking customers at Walmart and Sams Club to no longer openly carry firearms in stores in states where open carry" is allowed unless they are authorized law enforcement officers. Open carry legislation is currently on the books in more than 26 states Dan Bartlett executive vice president of corporate affairs said during a call with members of the media. Walmart said it wont be changing its policy for customers who have permits for concealed carry. And it will be adding signage to stores in the coming weeks to communicate the updates. We believe the opportunity for someone to misinterpret a situation even in open carry states could lead to tragic results" CEO Doug McMillon said in a memo distributed to employees. 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." Shares of gun and ammunition makers added to losses earlier in the day. Vista Outdoors stock closed down 6. Smith & Wesson parent company American Outdoor Brands stock fell nearly 4.5. Sturm Ruger & Company shares closed down 0.6. Walmart shares ended the day up 0.3. Weve also been listening to a lot of people inside and outside our company as we think about the role we can play in helping to make the country safer" the CEO added. Its clear to us that the status quo is unacceptable."