NEW YORK – Walmart plans to remove guns and ammunition from its sales floors in the US following unrest in Philadelphia this week, said a spokesman yesterday.
The retail giant will continue to sell the items to consumers who request them, but will pull them from displays.
Guns and ammunition are sold at about half of US stores, primarily in locations where hunting is popular, said the spokesman.
“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.
“These items do remain available for purchase by customers.”
The move comes after Philadelphia on Wednesday announced a night-time curfew following two nights of unrest over the police killing of Walter Wallace, who became the latest black person to die at the hands of law enforcement.
The earlier killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other African Americans have spawned mass protests throughout the country this year.
Thousands of people have taken to Philadelphia’s streets, with looting and violence breaking out, since police on Monday shot dead Wallace, who was carrying a knife.
Wallace’s family said he had mental health problems.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said there would be no curfew last night, but “we encourage residents to remain home, unless travel is necessary”. – AFP, October 30, 2020
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