Under CEO Mike Duke, Walmart is looking to revive its business by going back to "heritage" categories that helped it achieve success in the chain's formative years. Among the products that Walmart is adding back to its mix include fabric, fishing poles and firearms.
That last item has caught the attention of numerous media outlets as well as those who advocate for gun owner rights and others seeking tighter regulations.
Walmart plans to add rifles, shotguns and ammunition to hundreds of stores. The goal is for Walmart to sell firearms in about half of its U.S. locations. The chain began removing guns from many stores about five years ago, eventually reducing firearms sales to about a third of its locations. It does not sell handguns.
"We made a business decision to sell them in certain stores because we have realized the appeal was perhaps broader than we thought," David Tovar, a spokesperson for Walmart, told The Wall Street Journal. "But we are committed to doing it as responsibly as possible, as always, in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws."
Lawrence Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, said Walmart is being smart by addressing the needs of a growing market.
"There are still a lot of first-time buyers. The personal defense shotgun market is doing very well," he told the Journal.
- Wal-Mart Adds Guns Alongside Butter - The Wall Street Journal
- Wal-Mart to return firearms to some U.S. stores - MarketWatch
- Walmart Brings Guns Back - CNNMoney.com
- Deadly Force Now In Aisle 9: Walmart Returning Guns To Its Shelves - Fast Company
- Why are more Walmart stores selling guns again? - The Week
- Firearm Sales Gaining Momentum - The Wall Street Journal