Walmart Reacts To Deadly Shootings: Retailer Removes Gun-Related Products From Its Website

Following two mass shootings at its stores earlier this month, Walmart (WMT) has taken action by removing about 1,000 third-party products from its website that the company reportedly deemed a violation of its company policy.

With 75 million products offered on its website, Walmart made the decision to pull items that promoted violence after a review of its inventory, a company spokesperson told CNN. The review focused on products that were gun-related and were eliminated from the site over the last week, the spokesperson said.

Walmart has been under pressure from employees and customers to stop the sale of guns at its stores. Its employees threatened to strike following the deadly El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, shootings.

The removal of gun-related products from its e-commerce site follows the company’s decision to remove all displays of violent video games at its stores. Walmart told Reuters that it would not stop the sale of guns at its stores.

Two mass shootings that claimed the lives of 31 people happened at Walmart stores in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, earlier this month. Prior to the incidents, a disgruntled Walmart employee killed two co-workers at a Southaven, Mississippi, store.

In a letter penned to workers, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that the company would respond to the mass shootings in a “thoughtful and deliberate” way. He also thanked employees and first-responders for their bravery and courage during the shootings and said, Walmart “will act in a way that reflects the best values and ideals of our company, with a focus on serving the needs of our customers, associates and communities.”

Shares of Walmart stock were up 0.13 percent as of 10:23 a.m. ET on Wednesday.