New York, United States:
Walmart plans to remove weapons and ammunition from its U.S. retail outlets following the unrest in Philadelphia this week, a spokeswoman said Thursday.
The retail giant will continue to sell the items to consumers who request them, but will remove them from displays. The guns and ammunition are sold in about half of U.S. stores, mostly in places where hunting is popular, a company spokeswoman said.
“We have seen isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the past few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers. “said a spokesperson for Walmart. “These items remain available for purchase by customers.”
The move comes after Philadelphia announced a nighttime curfew on Wednesday after two nights of unrest following the police murder of Walter Wallace, who became the last black man to die at the hands of law enforcement.
The earlier murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other African Americans have spawned mass protests across the United States this year.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Philadelphia, with looting and violence, since police shot dead Wallace, who was carrying a knife, on Monday. Wallace’s family said he had mental health issues.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said there would be no curfew Thursday night, but “we encourage residents to stay in their homes unless travel is required.”
