Leading retailers revise policies on firearms in stores
The ranks of retailers revising their policies on customers bringing guns into their stores are growing. Earlier this week, Walmart made waves when, alongside changing its policy on sales of handguns and sales of ammunition, it also said it was asking customers who live in open-carry states not to bring their guns into Walmart stores.
Since then, CVS Health, Kroger and Walgreens all have adjusted their policies as well, calling on customers other than law enforcement members to refrain from bringing their guns with them when shopping.
“We support the efforts of individuals and groups working to prevent gun violence, and continually review our policies and procedures to ensure our stores remain a safe environment,” CVS Health said in a statement. “We join a growing chorus of businesses in requesting that our customers, other than authorized law enforcement personnel, do not bring firearms into our stores.”
Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs, Jessica Adelman made the same request in a statement, noting that, “We are also joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence.”
Walmart’s move, according to CEO Doug McMillon, was the result of shootings that took place in El Paso, Texas; Southaven Miss.; Dayton, Ohio; and Midland and Odessa, Texas.
“In a complex situation lacking a simple solution, we are trying to take constructive steps to reduce the risk that events like these will happen again,” McMillon said. “It’s clear to us that the status quo is unacceptable. … We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand. As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same.”
Since then, CVS Health, Kroger and Walgreens all have adjusted their policies as well, calling on customers other than law enforcement members to refrain from bringing their guns with them when shopping.
“We support the efforts of individuals and groups working to prevent gun violence, and continually review our policies and procedures to ensure our stores remain a safe environment,” CVS Health said in a statement. “We join a growing chorus of businesses in requesting that our customers, other than authorized law enforcement personnel, do not bring firearms into our stores.”
Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs, Jessica Adelman made the same request in a statement, noting that, “We are also joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence.”
Walmart’s move, according to CEO Doug McMillon, was the result of shootings that took place in El Paso, Texas; Southaven Miss.; Dayton, Ohio; and Midland and Odessa, Texas.
“In a complex situation lacking a simple solution, we are trying to take constructive steps to reduce the risk that events like these will happen again,” McMillon said. “It’s clear to us that the status quo is unacceptable. … We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand. As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same.”