Walmart Announced Today That It Will No Longer Sell Firearms or Ammunition to Those Under the Age of 21
NEW YORK – Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, today applauded Walmart for its decision to no longer sell firearms or ammunition to those under the age of 21. The policy change is in response to calls for common sense from survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed seventeen students and educators and wounded fourteen. The decision follows dozens of major corporations that cut ties with the NRA in recent days, including Chubb, MetLife and Hertz. Earlier on Wednesday, Dick’s Sporting Goods also announced changes to its policies related to selling firearms.
In 2008, Walmart worked with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, now part of Everytown, to develop and agree to the Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership, a 10-point code to help ensure people with dangerous histories do not obtain guns, including no sales without a completed background check.
STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“The announcements from Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods today reflect the values of the American public, who are united in a call for common sense on guns. This is a clear signal to businesses across the country that it’s safe to do what’s right. Americans will stand with businesses that stand for our safety.”
STATEMENT FOR SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA
“Two major gun retailers made major policy changes today that will make Americans safer. These corporate policy wins are additional proof points that the tide has turned in favor of gun safety. It should also be a call to action for Congress: there’s simply no reason for lawmakers not to immediately pass comprehensive gun safety legislation. Just as companies are realizing that cozying up to the gun lobby is bad business, lawmakers should see the writing on the wall: America is rejecting the NRA lobbyists’ dangerous agenda.”
Moms Demand Action has a history of working with national businesses to prioritize gun safety. Past campaigns have gathered hundreds of thousands of supporters to successfully persuade corporate giants like Starbucks, Target, Chipotle, Sonic, Chili’s, and Jack in the Box to publicly announce gun sense policies for their national storefronts. Moms Demand Action volunteers also played a pivotal role in getting Safeway and Albertsons, the country’s second largest grocery chain, to clarify their company-wide policy prohibiting firearms in their stores. Moms Demand Action and Everytown were also instrumental in Facebook’s decision to end all unlicensed gun sales on its platforms. More information on Moms Demand Action’s corporate campaigns is available here.