by Guy Sagi - Monday, March 19, 2018

Jim Shepherd/OWDN photo



A Kroger spokesperson confirmed to CNN on Friday that it would no longer sell “… magazines about assault rifles … ,” according to the news network’s website. Early reports indicate periodicals that focus primarily on modern sporting rifles or derivatives thereof will be impacted, although other titles—particularly those tailored for hunting and/or survival—may fall perilously close to banishment, due the firearms’ versatility in a variety of applications. No particulars on guidelines or appeals process, if any, were released.

The total number of outlets impacted also remains unclear. The Kroger Company (NYSE: KR) family of firms operates 2,782 grocery stores in 35 states and District of Columbia under a variety of names, including; Kroger, Ralphs, Food Co., Metro Market, Ruler Foods, Harris Teeter, Fry’s, Smith’s, City Market, Price Right, Baker’s, King Sooper’s, Fred Meyer, Gerbes Super Markets, Food 4 Less and Pic N’ Save, among others. The company also owns 784 convenience stores in 18 states, nearly 300 Fred Meyer Jewelry and Littman Jewelers stores and more than 2,000 pharmacies. Its chain of Fred Meyer general merchandise stores, with 132 locations in five states, recently announced it would no longer sell firearms to anyone younger than 21, but quickly escalated with a policy to no longer sell ammunition and firearms.

In August, The Kroger Company issued a “Policy on customers carrying firearms in stores” that, ironically, stated, “The safety of our customers and associates is one of our most important company values. Our longstanding policy on this issue is to follow state and local laws, and to ask customers to be respectful of others while shopping. We know that our customers are passionate on both sides of this issue and we trust them to be responsible in our stores.” The right to self-defense for those law-abiding citizens patronizing the company apparently remains intact, as of this writing.

In the interest of fair journalism, AmericanRifleman.org refrained from reporting rumors last week about the company’s policy change without independent confirmation. Our attempts at contacting company officials for a statement or written policy remain unreturned at press time.