Walmart and Kroger announce new gun policies

WINSTON/OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Following a string of mass shootings, America’s largest retailer and a major grocery chain have put new rules in place.

Walmart and Kroger made changes in how they, and their customers, will handle guns and ammunition in stores nationwide.

Both companies have asked shoppers to stop openly carrying firearms in their stores.

The changes may cause blowback with some customers, but both companies said they’re focused on safety.

Attorney Jeff Hosford, of Hosford Law Firm, said the businesses are protected by the Mississippi Code to enforce the policy.

“The law basically states that if you post a notice saying that you can’t open carry a pistol or revolver in their store you’re prevented from doing so. Then at that point, they would be able to charge you with a violation of the law and the police, and it would be up to the police to prosecute you or press charges to the police department,” said Hosford.

Hosford added law enforcement is the only group excluded from these changes.

“The person who owns the business, in this case, is exercising what rights are given up the state law of Mississippi. At that point, people have a decision to make do they continue what to go to that business or if they choose not to go to that business because of the viewpoints that they’ve taken in what amounts to a public policy decision,” said Hosford.

Walmart is going one step further. The retail super power will stop selling certain calibers of ammunition.

If customers choose to shop elsewhere, one local business is already prepared.

“There will be an increase in hand gun ammo since they no longer carry it. And we will stock it and keep them up-stocked here,” said Western Auto Sales associate Odie Keem.

Keem is hoping a drop off in sales at Walmart could possibly lead to a spike in their sales.

“We have a pretty reliable group of people that shop with us to start with, but I really feel like the handgun sales and ammo will be a lot better since they can’t buy it there,” said Keem.

While there’s much debate about the new policy, Keem is looking forward to making permanent customers from the new policy.

“We have a great loyal fan-base to start with and they come to see us all the time and we hope we’ll get some new ones from this,” said Keem.

Walmart and Kroger have not released any other information at this time.