Dick’s Sporting Goods should serve as a giant warning sign of the perils of practicing corporate gun control advocacy. To the tune of $150 million. And Levi’s. And Delta Airlines ($40 million annually). Now Walmart’s CEO is making noises that sound like he wants to sail those same perilous seas, too, signaling his company’s support for “common sense” gun control.
Walmart has received immense pressure from anti-freedom organizations to stop selling guns after the shooting in one of their stores in El Paso. Because guns are bad.
Now it seems Walmart’s leadership has grown wobbly in its support of traditional America and its gun culture.
CNN Business offers this introduction to their story.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said Thursday the company supports strengthening some gun measures in the United States after more than 20 people were killed in an attack on a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.
Although McMillon stopped short of endorsing a specific bill or plan, he said Walmart is encouraged that consensus is building for “common sense” legislation to prevent mass shootings.
“We’re encouraged that broad support is emerging to strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger,” McMillon said in a statement Thursday. “We believe the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons ban should be debated to determine its effectiveness in keeping weapons made for war out of the hands of mass murderers.”
Walmart (WMT) is America’s largest retailer, and McMillon said for the first time Walmart represents about 2% of the market for guns today. Walmart believes it is not among the top three gun sellers in the industry. The company estimates it has about a 20% share of ammunition.
Walmart’s guy says that he doesn’t think they’re among the top three sellers in the industry? That’s unknown, but one thing seems certain…selling guns and ammo while advocating for more gun control does not lead to more business.
McMillon’s comments on guns could give Congress fresh incentive to act on the deeply divisive issue. Walmart is also weighing whether to take additional steps on its gun policies.
His comments could also lead to global warming too. But it’s unlikely.
During a call with reporters Thursday, Dan Bartlett, Walmart executive vice president of corporate affairs and a former top aide to President George W. Bush, said the company would offer its “perspective and support” to Congress as a retailer that has stopped selling assault weapons.
How kind of them!
Should Walmart continue with this virtue signaling foolishness, America’s local gun shops and smaller chains will no doubt appreciate Bentonville’s alienation of many American gun owners.