No more gun sales at Walmart??

[Lucky]

I had a conversation with a local gunshop about this sort of thing. I boldly told the guy that I can buy anything he sells in his store for 30-40% less online, avoid taxes (which are often more than the shipping cost)..and these days customer service online is fantastic. These companies have good policies. He agreed, and said he will move onto the web over time. The Web is going to kill at least 1/2 if not more of gunstores.

Is it going to kill gunstores, or is it going to make it easier now that they can work out of their home?

 

[Darkness]

Wow.. they sell guns at WalMart?

I can't say I have ever been inside a Walmart that sells anything other than BB and Airsoft guns. Not that I have been to a huge number of them, but so far the ones in Cincinnati I have been to don't even sell ammo.

 

[AJ Dual]

There is no nation-wide trend to stop selling firearms at Wal-Mart. The one's here in SE Wisconsin that I frequent all have a firearms counter. The stock changes with the seasons it seems. Leaning more towards .22 plinkers and general utility shotguns in Spring, and more towards waterfowl shotguns, and centerfire deer rifles in the fall. They've also expanded firearms accessories, and are carrying more air rifles and Airsoft lately.

It's pure local economics/demographics issue. A location will discontinue firearms for poor sales, state and local regs on firearms, or the potential for bad publicity from firearm sales to a low income/high crime area.

Any of these factors make it not worth the hassle to sell firearms. Whether you love them, are ambivalent, or hate them, everyone should recognize that, for better or worse, Wal-Mart is a hyper-efficient company that will not knowingly waste a dime. They do it well, and it's why they dominate.

Just like water flows naturally to the lowest point, and follows the path of least resistance to get there, the products in Wal-Mart's supply chain flow to the stores where they sell the best (or their analysts at least think they do), where they sell the easiest, or where they have other benefits; like firearms driving ancillary sales of ammunition, accessories, or other sporting goods..

The Wal-Marts that have opened in China have tanks of live turtles.

In the pet department?... Nope.

In the "fresh food" aisle of the grocery side. It's called "addressing the needs of your customers".

If they sell firearms in an undesirable location, it's wasted space, time, and profit where they could be selling something else.

Would you start a surfboard company in the middle of Nebraska? Would you put up your own money to open up a gun store in Berkley or Compton CA? How about a tanning parlor in the middle of Death Valley? Perhaps you'd like to invest in a Hummer dealership in the middle of Manhattan? Better yet, what about a mountain climbing store in Florida!...

Whether a Wal-Mart sells guns or not says more about your local politics and demographics than it does about Wal-Mart. I agree that seeing your local Wal-Mart discontinue firearms sales is a concern, I would be worried if mine did. But all it means is that your area has somehow become less firearm friendly, not that Wal-Mart has.

They are not the NRA, they are a business.

 

[Manedwolf]

I'd noticed this too. Lots more airsoft, gun stuff getting smaller and smaller, down to one vertical shelf of cleaning supplies, one rack of rifles and ammo, now.

Yay. So no more CCI Blazer Brass for $5-something a box, or $15 birdshot 100-packs

I can either go way out of the way to the decent shop, or down the road to the one filled with "K-mart commandos" sitting around BSing all day where the owner tries to overcharge you on anything, including boxed ammo, unless you call them on it.

Whee.

It's also gotten that if you ask in one of their stores "where the guns are", they'll point you to the airsoft toys.

 

[Manedwolf]

Who can afford to pay the sky-high rent for a storefront on a busy road and compete with some guy with a cheap piece of land and a warehouse in the middle of nowhere with no overhead? Most gun dealers aren't making more than $25 on a firearm sale. By the time they get it shipped to them, go through the hastle - it isn't lucrative.

One problem. If the SHTF, ever, and the supply infrastructure breaks, you're not going to be able to order more off the net.

Gun stores were always historically part of the "guaranteed freedom" of the country, because they were in nearly every town and county and had a large stock of ammunition.

With that gone....?

 

[mons meg]

I do very little business at Wally World. They have pretty much been in the lead of destroying the America I knew as a kid

Let's remember that We the People made Wal Mart what it is today, by always expecting lower prices from them than everyone else. It's no mystery why they went overseas for supplies. It's called capitalism.

 

[wQuay]

I do very little business at Wally World. They have pretty much been in the lead of destroying the America I knew as a kid

Amen. The only thing I buy there is shotgun ammo.

 

[Radjxf]

Amen +1 on the above quote. I'll never buy a gun at Wally-World. Too many metal shavings, bad crowns, bad triggers witnessed by myself and others in Wal-Mart's firearms inventory. I'm sure the majority are fine, I just choose to purchase firearms from local or well-known online dealers.

 

[1911_sfca]

+1 on "who cares.. as long as they keep selling cheap (WWB) ammo".

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

I avoid our local Wal mart more on the "dingy dungeon gotta wash my hands" feeling I get rather than a philosophical view.

It's Capitalism with a really big C (for China?) and they are going to open many more stores. Up to 1500 I think?
They no longer sell firearms in California, but the ammo is usually a good buy.

I remember back in the early '80's when Long's Drugs had a whole corner dedicated to firearms with a glass case full of Ruger's and S&W's. The Navy base also had a huge, really huge selection of long guns and handguns. Now they don't even sell BB's or arrow's.

I buy online and cash at Walmart and local FFL's.

Vick

 

[Zen21Tao]

I find if rather funny that people can hate Walmart's business practice yet still take advantage of the cheap prices they have on ammo. It Walmart's practices of undercutting prices on their other items and buying in massive volume that affords them the ability to sell their ammo ammo so cheap. If I hated Walmart's business practices I would at least have the integrity to pay full marked-up price for ammo from my local gun store. (Just my two cents, not meant to be a jab at anyone)

 

[cbsbyte]

Walmarts in Mass

The two middle Massachusetts Walmarts that I sometimes shops at both sell a small assortment of long guns. However paintball, air guns and supplies now make up more of the their sales in the sporting goods dept than real guns. Or so I was told by the manager. One store never seems to stock handgun or rifle ammo but has a decent selection of shotgun ammo. It takes forever to get someone with the keys to help you. The other store has a decent selection of all types of ammo, and a fulltime counter person. The two store are about twenty miles apart. Its funny but the most rural store is the the one that does not stock alot of different ammo, while the one in West Springfield area is well stocked. Makes me wonder who is buying the ammo. One has to realize that Walmarts are located in populated urban areas with changing demographics. If an item does not sell well in an area then they probably won't allocate alot to that store. Same goes for guns and ammo.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

I find if rather funny that people can hate Walmart's business practice yet still take advantage of the cheap prices they have on ammo. It Walmart's practices of undercutting prices on their other items and buying in massive volume that affords them the ability to sell their ammo ammo so cheap. If I hated Walmart's business practices I would at least have the integrity to pay full marked-up price for ammo from my local gun store. (Just my two cents, not meant to be a jab at anyone)

No problem...I for one can understand where you are coming from. I personally will drive out of my way and even pay more before buying at Wal-Mart. I have not even been inside one in years. Our house keeper will sometimes ask me to drop her by there to pick up some things and I will offer to pay the very small difference and give her a lift if she will agree to go to Target instead. I however cannot fault the Wal-Mart shopper. I blame the company. You cannot blame shoppers who are living on fixed incomes and trying to afford to raise kids for trying to hold onto every dime they can save. I do wish that people would make the effort to not shop there though...for the good of the american working man.

 

[Berek]

Well, I just visited their site and was able to locate their policy on the matter of firearms, however it stated nothing as to their intent to discontinue the sales of firearms. So, I decided to send the following:

I just wanted to contact someone at Wal*Mart regarding a "rumor" that has been going aroung the Shooting Sports crowds. The rumor states that Wal*Mart is going to discontinue the sales of firearms and some your associates have indicated to a few associates of mine that this is happening in all of your stores.

It is the resounding opinion of the firearm crowd that Wal*Mart should continue to sell firearms and ammunition. In my area alone, there are 2 Wal*Mart stores within 30 minutes of me that I have frequented for my sporting goods and shooting supplies. I would like to continue to do so and so would MANY of my associates.

If this rumor is incorrect, please let us know. You can reply to my e-mail and I will post it in the public forums that have shown concern.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

Thom Leighton
Franklinville, NY

If you want to e-mail them, here is the on-line feedback form. Their general contact info page is here.

 

[1911JMB]

The wallmart nearest me has a large selection of long guns. But the way I see it is, there is no reason to support the clearing house for china's crap when you can get a wholesale discount from many or most gunclubs, or do what I do and buy used.

 

[fantacmet]

The youngster chimed in "It's because guns kill!".

HAHAHAHA, yeah so do knives, and cars. Guess people should quit eating becuse they can't cut their food huh? Maybe the police and military will start coming into our homes to cut our food for us when knives are banned. Maybe they will come chauffuer us around in their cars when we need to go somewhere.

Think about the amount of foot pounds of enegery the average handgun delivers, and think about the amount of foot pounds of energy even a small car can deliver at a paltry 15mph. Now lets see which one is more deadly. I see cars on the side of the street all day long you can walk right up and steal. People leave their keys in them all the time. You can walk into any lot, and buy a car without having to go through a background check. Lets not get into the licensing debate because one a license doesn't really prove you can drive worth a damn, but far more importantly, you can still buy a car without a license. I know I had three cars sitting in my driveway before I got my license. I bought each one of them and called a friend or family member to come drive them home for me. I could easily have jumped right in and gone down the road likely not getting pulled over and then killed someone with them.

Because guns kill, thats the funniest thing I've heard. I once asked why Walmart does not sell defense ammo only target ammo. I was told that Walmart policy prohibits the sale of defense ammo because it is more deadly and promotes gun violence. Since when did the criminals really give a hoot what ammo was in their gun as long as it shoots?

Thoughts to ponder I guess.

Rev. Michael

**EDIT**
Penguin you make a very valid point. My income comes and goes. When I have it I avoid Walmart like the plague. I can't stand the company or most of the mindless automotons they seem to hire for their "associates" but when my income is down low I am sometimes forced into shopping there for certain items. EW. For the most part the only thing gun related I have bought there is Winchester practice ammo, and some of my hunting wardrobe(Mossy Oak jacket and pants, and my orange vest) and one of those silicon impregnated quick cleaning cloth's for when I don't have the time to clean/lube properly, they are great until I can get back to where all my supplies are.

 

[6inch]

The GS that I've used for years sent me to Wal-Mart a few years ago when I wanted a 10/22. They (the GS) told me they couldn't come close to matching Wallys price. What A nightmare!! No one had a clue about selling guns. Long story short. After two days of BS (something about a mixup in their books) they finally got their fecal matter together and I was able to purchase the Ruger.

I'm sure it's not the same for everyone but that deal did leave me with a very sour taste.

BTW. The flip side of the coin is I love the 10/22.

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

I live in southwest MO but I travel alot and have been in wal-marts all over the country, it has been my experiance that there is a big difference between the wal-marts of southern MO and northern AR compared to rest of the country. It's on friendliness, cleanliness, and that has been a night & day difference and the amount of gun related items sold in the stores, if the stores around the company headquarters are progun I find it hard to believe the company is anti-gun.

 

[Technosavant]

Ozark, I think you are on to something. The Wal-Marts I have seen in Minneapolis when visiting my brother were a disgrace. Around here in St. Louis, they are quite decent. I think the farther you get from Bentonville, AR, the quicker everything goes to heck.

 

[MICHAEL T]

My local wal Mart just redid sporting goods and installed a very large Wood and glass display case for the now increased choice in long guns and shot guns Really nice. Now if just could find some help that knows which end bullet comes out .

 

[Manedwolf]

Because guns kill, thats the funniest thing I've heard. I once asked why Walmart does not sell defense ammo only target ammo. I was told that Walmart policy prohibits the sale of defense ammo because it is more deadly and promotes gun violence. Since when did the criminals really give a hoot what ammo was in their gun as long as it shoots?

That's not their national policy, regarding ammo. The Wal-Marts in NH stock Winchester and Remington JHP in 9mm and .45, as well as .38 special +P JHP.

They just don't have anything like Golden Saber or Gold Dot, likely just due to price.

 

[MD_Willington]

The Walmarts in Victoria and Quesnel up here in BC don't seem to sell firearms, either.

How about Canadian Tire?

Last time I was in Mackenzie, BC the local True Value hardware still had them...

The nearest Walmart & K-Mart still have long rifles and shotguns...

 

[bigun15]

Let's paint the country California.

But seriously, I've never seen a Wal Mart sell guns.

 

[strangeone]

Norinco Handguns???

Has anyone ever seen a Walmart that sells Handguns? My local gun shop also recomends going to Walmart to purchase 10-22s, 870s,and other wallyworld stocked longarms,they claim its not worth the trouble to try to compete and do just fine selling higher end firearms.A friend that works at the local walmart told me the only thing they are going to stop selling is the mini-14,some B.S. assault rifle Bolony.

 

[WarMachine]

Thank god I have an Academy so close to me (10 min drive). They have a MUCH larger ammo selection of ammo and guns, ammo is always in stock, and their prices are lower. Two boxes of Academy's WWB in 50 rounds is about the same if not cheaper than Walmart's 100 round box.