Gun Battle in RI Is Changing Due to Walmart Decision
GoLocalProv News Team
Gun Battle in RI Is Changing Due to Walmart Decision
“[Walmart's move] will effect gun shops quite significantly, because many gun owners when heading to the range want to get a bang for the buck shopping for the lowest ammunition prices to take to the range,” said Dan Bidondi, one of Rhode Island’s most active second-amendment activists.
“Walmart most of the time was always cheaper than gun shops being that they’re a major corporation they can afford to sell ammo at good prices vs gun stores where they can’t sell ammo low enough being that they have an overhead to pay for and it’s hard to keep up with the competition if Walmart is selling ammo cheap,” said Bidondi.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWalmart made the announcement following the most recent mass shooting events in the U.S.
"As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same. Our remaining assortment will be even more focused on the needs of hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts. It will include long barrel deer rifles and shotguns, much of the ammunition they require, as well as hunting and sporting accessories and apparel. We believe these actions will reduce our market share of ammunition from around 20% to a range of approximately 6 to 9%. We believe it will likely drift toward the lower end of that range, over time, given the combination of these changes," wrote Doug McMillion, CEO of Walmart.
Nationally, Walmart represents about 2% of the market for guns, but it is estimated have been 20% market share of ammunition sales.
Gun control advocates in Rhode Island applauded the decision and call for the General Assembly to take action.
"We hope that here in Rhode Island, our elected leaders will follow suit. The truth is, we should not need to lean on Walmart or any corporation to make policy. Policymaking is the job of our politicians. It is time that the RI General Assembly joins MA and CT and passes an assault weapon ban and high capacity magazine ban," said Kat Kerwin, Director of Communications for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence.
Frank Saccoccio the President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the NRA and head of the 2nd Amendment Coalition tells GoLocal that the decision was simply a corporation making a corporate decision.
Walmart's McMillion said, "We encourage our nation’s leaders to move forward and strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger. We do not sell military-style rifles, and we believe the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons ban should be debated to determine its effectiveness. We must also do more, as a country, to understand the root causes that lead to this type of violent behavior. Today, I’m sending letters to the White House and the Congressional leadership that call for action on these common-sense measures. As we’ve seen before, these horrific events occur and then the spotlight fades. We should not allow that to happen. Congress and the administration should act. Given our decades of experience selling firearms, we are also offering to serve as a resource in the national debate on responsible gun sales."
“In Rhode Island, there are only a couple of Walmarts that sell ammo — this might hurt them. It's a bad decision on Walmart’s part, obviously, it was corporate. You've got to go somewhere — so now you'll have to go to your local gun store,” said Saccoccio.
“[Walmart] has had comparable prices. When they've had sales, it would be around $2 or $3 off .22 [ammunition] for boxes of 300 or 500,” added Saccoccio.
Walmart is not the only national chain to cut back or limit their gun sales.
“I know when Dick’s decided [to stop carrying guns and ammunition in stores], they took a huge hit in sales — people won’t go anymore. Realistically, I know you want some type of gun control, but for the sportsman and law-abiding citizen, I don't support Walmart's decision,” said Saccoccio.
Walmart announced in a letter to associates:
Today, we’re sharing the decisions we’ve made that go further:
After selling through our current inventory commitments, we will discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition such as the .223 caliber and 5.56 caliber that, while commonly used in some hunting rifles, can also be used in large capacity clips on military-style weapons;
We will sell through and discontinue handgun ammunition; and
We will discontinue handgun sales in Alaska, marking our complete exit from handguns.
Will the Dick’s and Walmart decision have an adverse impact on gun owners and the industry in Rhode Island — no says the leading advocates.
“The Walmarts around here don’t sell a lot. It's not going to have as big an impact as say down south,” claims Steve Giroux of the gun store Flint Armament located in Woonsocket.
“Now gun stores don’t have major competitors anymore such as Walmart, gun stores will now be selling more ammo and now will be able to drop prices because of more sales without having to compete with Walmart anymore,” said Bidondi.
“I think it’s a win-win for everyone. Walmart CEO being against guns while gun stores sales dramatically increasing which in my opinion will only strengthen the market for gun stores,” added Bidondi.
"Look, if I’m going to the range — if I go to the afternoon, I’d go to Walmart for ammo, for food, for something to drink. Now that I can’t get it at Walmart, I’m going to my local store — I’m just not going there anymore," said Saccoccio.
"As far as open carry, I und that people who are opposed to guns, they don’t want to see guns. Personally, I've always thought open carry was a bad idea. There are a lot of people into firearms, and some who aren't, and if you’re not in firearms, you don’t want to see someone with a handgun. You carry concealed — carry for protection," added Saccoccio.
Gun Legislation at RI State House - 2018
