Retailers ban the sale of handgun ammunition
Vandy Manyeh
Staff Writer
On Aug. 3, Anthony Basco’s wife of 22 years, Maggie, was gunned down near him as they shopped during a regular trip to a Walmart in El Paso, TX. In that mass shooting, the shooter killed 22 people and left 24 injured.
Maggie was Basco’s only known family member. At Maggie’s funeral, the community had to show up. Hundreds took time away from their routine, while notable activists and personalities flew into the border city.
A day after this massacre, a gunman killed nine people and wounded 27 others at a bar in Dayton, OH. Fifty-three total deaths during mass shootings in August, according to the New York Times.
And in response to the litany of mass shootings, including one at its store in El Paso, Arkansas-based retailer, Walmart, announced plans to prorogate the sale of handgun ammunition on Sept. 5. The retail giant also asked customers to refrain from taking their guns to their stores, even in states where it’s backed by law.
“The status quo is unacceptable,” said Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillion.
And Kroger — a Cincinnati, OH-based retailer — is following suit. The nation’s largest supermarket retailer will no longer allow open carry of firearms in their stores.
Walmart and Kroger’s staggering decisions ignite the gun debate. … It’s a darn good one.
There have been so many tragic mass shootings this year. When faced with a crisis, smart actions must be taken by society as a whole. As companies with “moral” responsibilities to society, it could be smart to end the sale of handgun ammunition.
But these rules don’t solve the underlying issues that resonate with everyone: background checks, mental health and access to guns. Bad guys can access handgun ammunition at small ammunition retailers.
As complex as the gun debate is, it’s time for the legislative branch of government to work together, regardless of party affiliation, and pass laws that will make us safe.
Democrats will make a push for gun control after Congress’ summer break, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in an article published by the National Review on Sept. 5.