US election: Walmart removes guns, ammunition on display at stores

Walmart cites "civil unrest" as a reason for removing guns from display. Photo / AP

Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its US stores, citing "civil unrest" in some areas.

The nation's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4700 stores.

"We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers," Walmart said in a statement.

The items still remain available for purchase by customers.

The decision comes after several days of protests, widespread vandalism and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia before election day after police fatally shot a black man with a history of mental health problems.

Walmart made a similar move after the police killing of George Floyd that set off sometimes violent demonstrations against police brutality and injustice against African Americans.

Last year, Walmart stopped selling handgun and short-barrel rifle ammunition while requesting that customers not openly carry firearms in its stores, even where state laws allow it. The company also ended the sale of handguns in Alaska, the only state where the retailer sold them.

"That's up to Walmart. They're very smart. They had a tremendous quarter," President Trump says when asked about Walmart limiting the sale of guns and ammunition.

"They feel that they did the right thing," he adds https://t.co/UJYYeW1fWh pic.twitter.com/TtPvhyzkV6

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) September 4, 2019