Budget retailer Walmart has been forced to apologise after a store sign appeared to sell guns as back-to-school items for kids.

In one of the US stores, a case containing rifles was on display below a sign that seemed to point to the cabinet.

"Own the school year like a hero," it read, a photo of which was posted on Twitter by a concerned customert.

Unsurprisingly, the sign caused offence to a number of those on social media as the photo went viral.

One Twitter user demanded that the retailer “explain this”, while another asked, “What are you suggesting?"

Walmart moved quickly to condemn the "truly awful" and "horrible" display.

A spokesperson for the retailer said it was investigating which of its stores had put up the exhibit.

It is as yet unclear how, why or by whom the sign was placed

Walmart is the largest seller of firearms in the US, displaying guns visibly on the shop floor to all customers.

What’s in this photo would NEVER be okay in our stores. We're looking into how it could have happened. -Scott — Walmart (@Walmart) August 10, 2017

Online Editors