Walmart to stop selling guns, certain ammunition

Walmart will no longer sell guns and certain ammunition, in response to recent deadly shootings.

The company announced the changes Tuesday.

"My wife works for Walmart and I'm terrified every time she goes to work that she's going to get shot,” said Wolfen Wright.

Wolfen’s wife, Bobbi Wright, started working at the Walmart in Tumwater not long after last year's shooting.

“Nowadays you never know what somebody is going to do,” said Bobbi.

June 2018 a man armed with a handgun shot open a locked case in the store, ripped through the glass and reloaded his gun with stolen ammunition. It was all captured on surveillance video.

Tumwater police said the man then ran through the parking lot, grabbed a car and shot a man inside.

The incident ended when an armed citizen took the shooter down.

Last month, a gunman killed 22 people inside a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

In response to the violence, Walmart is making changes.

The company is discontinuing the sale of short-barrel rifle ammunition, handgun ammunition, as well as handguns, which are still sold in Alaska.

"Maybe getting rid of certain ammo will help, I don't know, but we've got to try,” said Cortni Kendville.

"It doesn't address the problem at all. It's just a response so they can be like, look, we did something without actually having to change anything that might affect their profits,” said Sophie Wilson.

Walmart also won't allow customers to openly carry firearms in states which allow it.

Customers in Tumwater had mixed views on all of the changes.

"I think we need to reel it in,” said Wolfen.

“There's always going to be a way for people to achieve the goals they're going for. If that goal is to hurt the people around them, they're going to do it,” said Wilson.

Walmart said it will continue to sell long barrel rifles and shotguns, much of the ammunition they require, as well as hunting and sporting accessories and apparel.

In response to the announcement, the National Rifle Association said, "The strongest defense of freedom has always been our free market economy. It is shameful to see Walmart succumb to the pressure of the anti-gun elites. Lines at Walmart will soon be replaced by lines at other retailers who are more supportive of America's fundamental freedoms. The truth is Walmart’s actions today will not make us any safer. Rather than place the blame on the criminal, Walmart has chosen to victimize law abiding Americans. Our leaders must be willing to approach the problems of crime, violence and mental health with sincerity and honesty.”

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Associated Press