Up until this, Walmart had sold five different models of assault rifles. Some of these have been used in shootings on Walmart property or have been stolen from the store counters.
Walmart continues to sell shotguns, hunting rifles, and ammunition, as well as realistic-looking airguns, and they still allow people to carry concealed handguns in their stores.
From an article:
The world’s largest retailer will stop stocking AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles (MSRs) as it resets its stores with fall merchandise, a Walmart spokesman confirmed to Quartz on Wednesday. The company will replace the rifles (carried in less than a third of its stores) with shotguns and other hunting weapons.
The move comes in the midst of a national gun debate fueled by high-profile shootings involving the weapon, including Adam Lanza in the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, James Holmes in the Colorado theater shooting, and the Los Angeles Airport shooting where a Transportation Security Administration officer was shot and killed.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation says modern sporting rifles are among the most popular firearms being sold in America.
Walmart claims the move was a "business decision" and not due to pressure, but assault rifles continue to be a hot commodity with the gun guys, so I think we all know what the truth is here. There has been a lot of outcry, including petitions like HERE and HERE.
Walmart. Save money. Die faster.
Addendum (8/28/15): A statement of support from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
