SALT LAKE CITY — Walmart announced Tuesday that it will soon stop selling handgun ammunition and all sales of short-barrel rifle ammunitions that can be used for assault weapons, according to CNBC.
The decision comes after several “horrific” mass shootings over the last few months, according to the company. The most recent shooting happened in Odessa, Texas, Axios reports. Specifically, Walmart will stop selling .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber ammunition.
The company will stop handgun sales entirely in Alaska, according to CNBC.
“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 statement sent to employees, according to CNBC. “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.”
“We’ve 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,” he added. “It’s clear to us that the status quo is unacceptable.”
Walmart has also requested that the customers stop selling the handguns to 4,700 stores and its Sam’s Club stores, according to CNN.
The company said Walmart sales only represent 2% of market for all guns. Walmart says it is not among the top three gun sellers in the industry, too, according to CNN.
Walmart previously removed video game signs and displays that showed violent scenes after a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, which led to 22 deaths, according to The Associated Press.