(Headline USA) Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing “civil unrest” in some areas.
The nation’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores.
“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,” Walmart said in a statement emailed to the Associated Press on Thursday.
The discounter said the items remain available for purchase by customers.
The move comes after several days of riots, widespread vandalism and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia before Election Day after police fatally shot a black man with a lengthy criminal history who charged at them with a knife.
Walmart made a a similar move in the wake of the death of George Floyd in a confrontation with police, that set off violent riots.
Last year, Walmart stopped selling handgun and short-barrel rifle ammunition while requesting that customers not openly carry firearms in its stores, even where state laws allow it.
The company also ended the sale of handguns in Alaska, the only state where the discounter sold them.
Adapted from reporting by Associated Press.
