Walmart to stop selling certain ammunition, ban open carry in its stores

Wal-Mart associates stand outside the store for the grand opening ceremony of the new Wal-Mart on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Tomball. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Wal-Mart associates stand outside the store for the grand opening ceremony of the new Wal-Mart on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Tomball. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Walmart to stop selling certain ammunition, ban open carry in its stores 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, on Tuesday said it will stop the sale of handgun and assault-style rifle ammunition and ban open carry of firearms inside its stores in response to recent mass shootings, including in El Paso, Midland and Odessa last month.

In an open letter to employees, Walmart Chief Executive Doug McMillon said the company will sharpen its focus on the needs of hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts after it sells through its current inventory of ammunition for assault-style rifles and handguns. The company expects its latest firearm sales policies will reduce its market share of ammunition to between 6 percent and 9 percent, down from around 20 percent currently.

"In a complex situation lacking a simple solution, we are trying to take constructive steps to reduce the risk that events like this will happen again," McMillon said, referring to mass shootings. "The status quo is unacceptable."

Walmart has been under pressure to stop selling firearms and ammunition, especially after a pair of shootings last month at Walmart stores in El Paso and Mississippi that killed 22 shoppers and two employees. The company previously stopped selling handguns and assault-style rifles such as the AR-15, raised the age limit for firearm and ammunition sales to 21 years old and required background checks on all firearm sales. The retailer also video records its firearms section and only allows certain trained employees to sell guns.

Other retailers have restricted gun sales in the wake of mass shootings. Last year, Dick's Sporting Goods pulling assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines from its stores and required all gun buyers be at least 21 years old after a mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla.

Houston-based Academy Sports + Outdoors declined to comment on whether it plans to change its firearms sales policies.

RELATED: Academy stands pat as Dick's, Walmart restrict gun sales

Walmart plans to sell through its current inventory of ammunition, after which it will no longer sell handgun ammunition as well as short-barrel rifle ammunition such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber bullets that can be used to high capacity magazine clips on assault-style guns. The retailer also plans to discontinue handgun sales in Alaska, the last state where the company sold handguns.

Walmart also will no longer allow customers to open carry firearms in all Walmart and Sam's Clubs stores in states where "open carry" is permitted. Only authorized law enforcement officers will be allowed to carry firearms in plain view of others. Customers who have concealed carry permits may continue to bring firearms into Walmart stores, as long as they are concealed.

"There have been multiple incidents since El Paso where individuals attempting to make a statement and test our response have entered our stores carrying weapons in a way that frightened or concerned our associates and customers," McMillon said. "We have also had well intentioned customers acting lawfully that have inadvertently caused a store to be evacuated and local law enforcement to be called to respond. These incidents are concerning and we would like to avoid them."

McMillon also said he will send letters to the White House and Congress, urging the nation's leaders to strengthen background checks, remove weapons from those deemed to pose an imminent danger to others and to consider the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban

"We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand," McMillon said. "As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same."