Kroger Joins Walmart in Asking Shoppers Not to Openly Carry Guns in Stores
A day after Walmart asked customers not to openly carry in guns in stores even in states where it’s legal, Kroger has made the same request.
“Kroger is respectfully asking that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores, other than authorized law enforcement officers,” Jessica Adelman, group vice president of corporate affairs at The Kroger Co., said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
On Tuesday, Walmart issued a statement requesting customers not openly carry guns. Walmart also announced it would cease the sales of ammunition commonly used in assault-style weapons as well as that used in handguns.
Walmart’s request came several weeks after a man killed 22 people inside a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.
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Walmart and Kroger both called on elected officials to strengthen background checks for gun purchases.
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“We are also joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence,” the statement said.
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According to Kroger’s statement, the company last year “made the conscious decision to completely exit the firearm and ammunition business when we stopped selling them in our Fred Meyer stores in the Pacific Northwest.”
The statement adds, “Kroger has demonstrated with our actions that we recognize the growing chorus of Americans who are no longer comfortable with the status quo and who are advocating for concrete and common sense gun reforms.”
The Washington Post reports that Kroger, a Cincinnati-based retailer, is the second-largest grocer in the United States. According to the company’s website, it operates 2,760 grocery retail stores under multiple names.
