Following mass shootings last month in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, that left a total of 31 people dead, a few major supermarket chains have changed their policy in an attempt to limit gun violence.
Albertsons has joined a list of retailers — including Walmart, Kroger, CVS and Walgreens — that have asked shoppers to not openly carry firearms.
“We want our stores to feel safe & welcoming for all, so we respectfully ask customers to not openly carry firearms in our stores unless they are authorized law enforcement officers,” the company said in a tweet.
Others responded to the tweet by Albertsons, including Dinah Miller, who wrote: “Thank you. No one needs a gun displayed around my Tom Thumb pharmacy or around little kids with their moms in the produce section. Signed, gun owner.”
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The new supermarket changes will occur even in states where open-carry is legal in the hope it wards off potential shooters.
It’s not clear how the companies will implement or enforce their new policies, although a Walmart spokesperson told TIME that employees will be trained on how to deal with customers who walk in with a firearm. Other changes by Walmart include an announcement last Tuesday detailing the end of handgun sales in Alaska, and the discontinuation of short-barrel rifle and handgun ammunition sales nationwide.
“We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand,” company CEO, Doug McMillon said. “As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same.”
McMillon noted the store wouldn’t change its policy and approach regarding concealed-carry permits.
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