STATEMENT: Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Applauds Walmart for Taking Action to Improve Gun Safety

Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, applauded Walmart after news broke that America’s largest retailer would modify its policies for selling firearms. Going forward, the company will stop selling certain types of ammunition used in recent mass shootings and ban open carry in all of its stores. In addition, Walmart announced it would send a letter to the White House and Congressional leaders calling for action on gun safety measures like background checks.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:

“Walmart’s action is another sign that the private sector has had enough with America’s gun violence crisis. We congratulate Walmart for getting off the sidelines and working to make its stores, staff, customers, and country safer. Addressing a problem this big requires leaders from across American society to be part of the solution. Walmart’s announcement should be applauded by all Americans, and I’m hopeful it will inspire elected leaders to follow in their footsteps.”

Today’s news about Walmart follows announcements earlier this year from Salesforce that the software company would no longer allow retail businesses to use its e-commerce services for marketing and selling products if they carry automatic or semi-automatic firearms and Dick’s Sporting Goods that it would stop selling firearms at 125 of its stores. This is part of a larger trend within the business community to make commitments to gun safety, reflecting the growing call from Americans for commonsense gun reform.

• Washington Post: Tech giant brings software to a gunfight 
• CNN: Dick’s Sporting Goods removes guns and ammo from 125 stores 

• Fortune: Levi Strauss CEO: Why Business Leaders Need to Take a Stand on Gun Violence 
• NPR: One By One, Companies Cut Ties With The NRA 
• New York Times: Walmart and Dick’s Raise Minimum Age for Gun Buyers to 21 
• Huffington Post: Toms Donates Record $5 Million to End Gun Violence 
• ABC News: Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO on  decision  to no longer sell assault-style rifles: ‘We don’t want to be a part of this story’ 
• Washington Post: NRA boycott: REI, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, stop selling  major  outdoor brand with NRA ties 
• CNN: L.L. Bean raises  minimum  age for gun purchases to 21 
• Daily News: Kroger is latest U.S. chain to stop selling guns to patrons under 21 
• LinkedIn: Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini Address Parkland in Letter to Employees and Donates to the March For Our Lives 
• Wall Street Journal: BlackRock, a Shareholder in Gun Makers, Ramps Up Pressure on Gun Industry 

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