Walmart is the largest employer in America and the largest retailer of guns in the world.
Their stores are also frequently the site of gun violence. We made them do something about it.
In August 2019, we led a campaign along with partners like Color of Change and March For Our Lives to demand Walmart do their part in reducing the easy access to guns that puts profits over people. We organized thousands of consumers to sign an open letter demanding Walmart to:
- Stop selling firearms and ammunition until we raise the national standard for gun ownership and production
- Pledge they’ll no longer make political contributions to lawmakers who get their money from the NRA
- Pledge that they’ll use their political influence to advocate for legislative changes to raise the standard of gun production and ownership in America, including a ban on military-style weapons
- Invest in the communities they serve and fund gun buybacks in key areas around the country
Together, we rallied at Walmarts across the country and delivered letters urging store managers to take action to protect their communities.
Just a month later, Walmart responded by ending sales of handguns and handgun ammunition and discouraging open carry in stores, even where legal. This was a monumental win.
The impact of campaigns like Walmart Must Act are life-saving. A study of Walmart stores during a period of reduced or eliminated firearms sales show thousands of prevented suicides in every impacted county.
We're working on saving more lives through corporate accountability through the refresh of our Business Must Act campaign. Visit BusinessMustAct.org to learn more and take action.
In The Press
- Reuters — Walmart faces pressure to stop gun sales after latest U.S. mass shootings
- The Washington Post — Walmart says it will keep selling guns, even as advocacy groups and workers voice concerns
- MSNBC — How Walmart Could Do Something About Gun Violence
- The Hill — Progressive activist: How Walmart can fight gun violence
- The New York Times — Walmart to Limit Ammunition Sales and Discourage 'Open Carry' of Guns In Stores