Is the whole "guns in walmart" thing really necessary?

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captianflannel@reddit

Necessary? No I guess not, but if Walmart wants to sell guns and follows the same legal requirements as any other dealer I don’t see why they can’t have them for sale. They used to sell guns at Sears, JC Penney, Macy’s, K-Mart, and many other department stores in the sporting goods department. It’s only recently that “sporting goods” has come to mean balls, rackets, and shoes as in addition to equipment for hunting and fishing. I can’t speak for everybody, but I’ve never purchased a gun at Walmart.

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Carinyosa99@reddit

I'm curious, but in my part of Maryland the MoCo store doesn't sell guns (would be a bad idea there). I don't recall seeing any at the small store in Mount Airy and I can't remember if Frederick sells them either. Maybe Maryland doesn't allow them?

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captianflannel@reddit

Hey man there’s more to MD than Frederick and Montgomery. They sold ‘em in St. Mary’s, Prince Frederick, and on the shore. Carroll County too. It’s mostly just ammo these days though.

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Carinyosa99@reddit

I know that. But those are the only stores I've been to in Maryland. And Mount Airy is Carroll. I fully would expect no guns in MoCo and PG, wasn't sure about Frederick.

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captianflannel@reddit

I even think I’ve seen guns or at least ammo at the more rural PG co Walmarts, but I haven’t been down that way in a while.

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TaterTotJim@reddit

Did you have a point or not really? Most Walmarts haven’t sold guns in a long time.

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judgingA-holes@reddit

I wouldn't say most if we're talking about just America, it's more like half of the Walmarts in America don't sell guns, and it definitely depends on where you live.

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TaterTotJim@reddit

Hmmm interesting. I can get ammo at most of them but haven’t seen a gun in most of the Midwest and Appalachian Walmarts in years.

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judgingA-holes@reddit

They don't do handguns anymore, but I'm in an Appalachia area and they still sell hunting rifles and shotguns in my area and neighboring areas.

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DuelJ@reddit

Some certaintly still do at least as of a year ago.

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Alarming_Bar7107@reddit

That's a bad example bc Walmart does in fact have ladders and things a "regular" supermarket wouldn't have

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Count_Dongula@reddit

Some Walmarts will even put tires on your car for you.

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Alarming_Bar7107@reddit

Mine does oil changes too

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An8thOfFeanor@reddit

What licensing and fees?

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PerfectAnonym@reddit

I mean they need someone with an FFL to actually "sell" the gun

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An8thOfFeanor@reddit

That's a hundred bucks or so every three years, not exactly a major overhead

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PerfectAnonym@reddit

I mean I think OP's question is silly too, you just asked about licensing

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marvelguy1975@reddit

Do you have a point? Did the little old hunting rifle in a locked case in a wal-mart hurt your feelings.

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DuelJ@reddit

You certaintly seem to have a feeling on things.

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marvelguy1975@reddit

Lol.. Nope.

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ForestOranges@reddit

I personally haven’t seen a Walmart that sell guns in like the last 10-15 years. I looked it up and apparently they mainly only sell guns in rural Walmarts, but 8 years ago I lived in a rural area and I don’t even remember our Walmart having them. They stopped selling handguns back in the 90s (with the exception of Alaska). They stopped selling modern sporting rifles like the AR-15 in 2015. You can get shotguns, bolt-action rifles, and some rimfire rifles. There’s also background checks and a 3 day waiting period. I feel like a lot of foreigners get the impression that any person can just walk into a Walmart, buy a gun, and be gone in 5-10 minutes.

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WhiskeyKisses7221@reddit

Not all Walmarts sell guns, only about half of them do. Walmart varies the inventory they sell store to store based on the location using a whole lot of data that they collect. If a particular location is selling firearms, I have to imagine that Walmart has determined it is worth the space.

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DuelJ@reddit

I suspect there's sparsely populated areas where there isn't enough demand to support specialty stores; leading to superstores aiming to serve those niches.

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Gooble211@reddit

A big problem with guns in Walmart is that the people who run the gun counter typically know close to nothing about what they're selling. A gun shop employee/owner will typically have useful answers to questions.

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j2142b00@reddit

Guns in department stores used to be a standard, common item. I remember seeing racks of rifles and pistols in Sears....I still have/use my Sears 12ga shotgun. Wal-Mart started as a country store and I'm willing to bet firearms have been a part of their ware from early on. They have changed their sales though, the city stores around me barely have any ammo only, no guns sold. Go 20-30 miles out of the city and they have a full, proper selection of basic hunting rifles, gear and ammo.

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expomac@reddit

Solely to make Europeans uncomfortable

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ibeerianhamhock@reddit

Yep it's obviously this

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GiraffeWithATophat@reddit

I mean, is ANYTHING necessary? I assume Walmart employs an analyst or two to keep tabs on which items are profitable, so if people are buying, why not sell?

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Snoo_50786@reddit

Even the average gun enthusiast will find themselves at Walmart more often than they would an actual gun store - the store has everything you could possibly need. If you show up more often you're more likely to buy, especially if you see a product other stores don't have/at a better price. Licencing and whatnot is pretty much a drop in the bucket for Walmart though - less than $1k-$3k a year at most.

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TyraNotBanks5@reddit

I think it makes since that Walmart would have guns considering the demographic that shops there tends to have overlap with the gun nuts, especially in rural areas lol

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ShowScene5@reddit

I mean, they are sporting goods and they sell sporting goods.

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porkchopespresso@reddit

Literally next to the fishing poles and tackle

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SaltyEngineer45@reddit

Depending on what state you’re in and what part of said state, Walmart could be the ONLY place to buy a firearm for miles in any direction. Some towns are so small they only have a Walmart or something similar for everything. Groceries, hardware, sporting goods, car parts, clothing, all under one roof.

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notthegoatseguy@reddit

Not all Walmarts sell firearms or ammunition and other accessories. Its a business and Walmart will sell what it believes in its business interest. Foreigners generally do not understand that simply because guns are legal doesn't mean you personally have to own one or be into firearms. In fact most Americans do not own firearms.

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ilPrezidente@reddit

I'm not a gun person at all but I don't entirely understand your argument. Obviously the licensing and fees aren't an issue and they make a profit from guns if they sell them.

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AdEastern9303@reddit

And, It’s not like they aren’t following the same federal, state and local laws as gun stores. The requirements to purchase a gun are the same so they are calling in the same background checks, requiring the same ID and filling out the same forms.

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Sea-Chain7394@reddit

Sometimes you want to buy a variety of Items such as a gallon of vodka, KY lubricant, a frozen turkey, and an assault rifle. It's just more convenient if they are all sold at the same store

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allochthonous_debris@reddit

Walmart isn't a supermaket; it's a discount department store. Their business model is leveraging economies of scale to sell discount versions of anything a budget-conscious consumer could possibly want in one location.

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AskAnAmerican-ModTeam@reddit

Thank you for your submission, but it was removed as it violates posting guideline "Questions must be asked in good faith." It means that your post includes trolling, joke questions, agenda pushing, soapboxing, or other signs of a bad faith. If you have questions regarding your submission removal - please contact the moderator team via [modmail](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/AskAnAmerican).

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Quirky_Commission_56@reddit

I inherited a .38 Special and a 22 caliber rifle from my dad. Only weapons that I have.

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OldRaj@reddit

I purchased a Sig AR-15 from Walmart and I’m happy with this. Is this not OK to some people?

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judgingA-holes@reddit

Is it necessary, no. Is it profitable, absolutely depending on the location.

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Littleboypurple@reddit

If it wasn't worth the hassle, Walmart would have stopped or at least tried to stop. They are very clearly making money off of it and that's all that matters to a Multibillion dollar corporation

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Senior-Cantaloupe-69@reddit

You do know it’s based in Arkansas and initially grew out from there, right? Guns and outdoors are part of its roots. They’ve since added full grocery stores. Beyond that, you totally under estimate the amount of guns we collect in America. They’re not evil. Most crimes are committed with illegal guns. Also, most gun deaths are suicide.

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Traditional-Photo227@reddit

Walmart isn't just a grocery store, OP. Walmart Supercenters have plenty of other stuff, too, from cleaning supplies to pet food to kids' toys to gardening supplies, not just food. Neighborhood Walmarts, however, are smaller and are the grocery store.

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PerfectAnonym@reddit

Because like a third of Americans own guns? Walmart is a warehouse sized store that sells literally everything. The average customer walking through their doors is more likely to buy a gun or ammo than, say, a kayak. Which yes, they also sell.

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BracedRhombus@reddit

I'd rather buy local. Get expert advice, not what the clerk at Walmart read off a car. Get better service, too. Also, the Walton family doesn't live in my town. Doesn't wave at me when I drive past the gun shop owner's home.

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mbili_clean@reddit

I got this one guys.... ...Freedom...

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BreakfastBeerz@reddit

A super market is a grocery store.... they sell groceries. Walmart is a department store, one of their departments are sporting goods. Guns are a sporting good. So.......

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PghSubie@reddit

They sell sporting goods. So, they sell footballs, frisbees, sneakers, tents, sleeping bags, and guns

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GrimSpirit42@reddit

Why not? You can buy a fishing pole there. Why not a hunting rifle? Here's one way Walmart is more strict that required by law. When you fill out a NICS background check to buy a firearm, there are three (3) possible results. 1. **Proceed:** The seller is allowed to sell the gun to the applicant. 2. **Denied:** The seller is NOT allowed to sell the gun to the applicant. 3. **Delayed:** Further investigation is needed. Here's the bit about the **Delayed** result: If no result is given within three business days, the sale *may* proceed. But, it is at the seller's discretion. And Walmart will only sell a gun on the Proceed result. Although they are legally allowed to sell the gun after 3 days of a **Delayed** result, Walmart chooses not to.

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Wyndeward@reddit

The original concept of Walmart was a store with everything, with its natural habitat being rural America -- think "department store on steroids" and you'd not be wrong. Now, while the "normal" products might have an overlap, but there are some things you want want/need if East Hog Jowl, AR that you're not going have the same demand for in NYC. Likewise, seeing as there is a standard for obtaining an FFL, any business capable and maintain that standard should not be prevented from selling firearms legally. If a body is willing to put up with headaches that come with the license, what \*rational\* objection is there?

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tranquilrage73@reddit

So CVS refuses to sell cigarettes, but guns at WalMart. 'Merica.

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voltairesalias@reddit

Wal Mart often sells the cheapest bullets, and has good deals on hunting rifles sometimes. If they can profit off of it by selling goods in demand - why not? They still have to abide by all the of regulations of their respective states.

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groundhogcow@reddit

My grocery store has ladders, plumbing, and electrical. No tubs, but they do sell fixtures.

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AncientGuy1950@reddit

It's profitable, or Walmart wouldn't do it. That's the bottom line

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BracedRhombus@reddit

Literally!

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LankyJeep@reddit

It’s a sporting good, why wouldn’t Walmart sell it in the sporting goods section, and either way the selection is usually pretty awful, it would be better to actually expand the department if they wanted to really make money on it

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DrWooolyNipples@reddit

Its area dependent. I know a few places where a Walmart would be the most convenient option for a lot of people. Also, Walmart is where a lot of people buy hunting and fishing licensing anyway, may as well have ammo, targets, and cheap shotguns for impulse buyers excited for a new season.

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SpeakerCareless@reddit

A lot of misconceptions the premise. 1. You can also buy a ladder at Walmart. Or a car battery. Or a rose bush. Or a fishing pole. It’s not a supermarket with guns. It’s a superstore and some of them sell guns. 2. People who buy guns definitely buy more than one per lifetime. The target market for them (haha) definitely are repeat buyers. 3. You assume there is hassle and licensing in every state? There most certainly is not. I’m not defending Walmart as gun dealer, just pointing out it’s like any other good they sell. If there is a market and it’s profitable for them to sell to their customers, they’ll sell it.

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machagogo@reddit

Depends on the where. Walmart does not sell guns in New Jersey for instance.

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Admiral_AKTAR@reddit

No, but walmart will fill any and all niches it can find.

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bonzai113@reddit

The local Walmart might simply be the nearest place to buy a shotgun or rifle. As far as I know, Walmart doesn’t sell pistols.

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JimDemintRecession@reddit

In some regions Walmarts have a hunting gun section, where they're behind the counter in locked counters with trigger locks. In New Jersey they don't have a gun section.

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HegemonNYC@reddit

Walmart isn’t a grocery store. It’s a super store. It does have couches, ladders, fishing poles, jeans, hammers etc.

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MortynMurphy@reddit

Necessary, no. But when the closest big town with a nice gun store is more than four hours drive away, and the WalMart is a lot closer, you best believe the Walton family wants to make sure they have everything the rural American wants or needs. It's not as common anymore in my state to have guns in the Walmart, but there are still a few.

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ijusthinkitsneat@reddit

In a lot of places for a lot of time, WalMart was where you went for “everything”. You cant sell “everything” to people who realistically will want to buy a hunting rifle at some point if you don’t sell hunting rifles. Also, the firearm industry in the United States (and worldwide really) is massively profitable. Of course Walmart is gonna get in on that

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CronosWorks@reddit

Department and hardware stores in the rural US have always sold firearms, basically since the beginning. A lot of local populations aren’t supporting specialty stores of any type, leading to one stop shopping options.

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oneislandgirl@reddit

Apparently it is worth it because they don't do things unless economically feasible. Lots of hunting/fishing/camping gear is sold at Walmart.

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Salty_Permit4437@reddit

Walmart doesn’t sell as many as they used to. Personally I prefer to buy from the small local gun shops.

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iceph03nix@reddit

yes, Walmart has a sporting goods section that includes hunting equipment, and a counter that sells licenses, as well as firearms. Some time back, they changed policy to limit the types of guns they sold to those more traditionally thought of as hunting firearms, so mostly shotguns and bolt action rifles. I bought my first .22 rifle at a walmart because there wasn't a local gun store where I was at the time.

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Mesoscale92@reddit

“Why does a retailer sell popular retail items that people buy with money?” is certainly a question.

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BoysenberryUnhappy29@reddit

Walmart sells everything. Lots of people buy guns, not just hobbyists. This is a non-issue. You just find the concept foreign.

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No-Highway-4887@reddit

A few still do it but it’s not super common anymore at least where I’m at Walmart is not exactly anti gun but they don’t really want to be associated with it. But when they did they sold what little stock they had at really reasonable prices. But they are a corporation if they can sell it and make money they will. So from a business standpoint I would say yes.

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Zk15224@reddit

Its a super store, its meant to have everything. Gardening, car stuff, bikes, TVs and yeah even some basic firearms. Walmart end goal is for someone to only ever go to Walmart.

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William_Maguire@reddit

Definitely

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ObiDalf@reddit

It’s not necessary but with a free market where Walmart already sells, just about anything you can think of, it’s not such a far step to see them sell guns too. I think this speaks more to the issue of retail monopolies than any sort of ‘gun problem’

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ID_Poobaru@reddit

Yes

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Upstairs-Storm1006@reddit

If you did a Venn diagram of gun nuts & Walmart people, the circle for the nuts would be entirely inside the Walmart circle

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