Walmart is removing violent video game displays and signs from its stores nationwide, but its policy on gun sales remains unchanged.
Following shootings at two of its stores, the retail giant ordered “immediate action” in stores regarding signage that contains “violent themes or aggressive behavior,” USA Today reported Friday.
“We’ve taken this action out of respect for the incidents of the past week, and this action does not reflect a long-term change in our video game assortment,” a Walmart spokesperson said on Thursday.
The move came less than a week after accused gunman Patrick Crusius allegedly stormed into an El Paso, Texas, Walmart on Saturday, killing 22 people. Three days later, a former employee, Martez Abram, allegedly shot and killed two workers at a store in Southaven, Mississippi.
Along with guns, the retail giant will still sell violent video games.
Some criticized Walmart on social media for the decision to remove the video game signage in the wake of the shootings.
“@Walmart: If video games caused gun violence, Japan would be grappling with one of the worst gun violence crises on the planet. Yet Japan seldom has more than 10 shooting deaths a year in a population of 127 million people,” wrote Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, in a tweet.
The chain — which is a major seller of firearms in the US — has been under fire for continuing to sell hunting weapons after the back-to-back shootings.
“Hey @Walmart! This would be a great opportunity for you to take a true leadership position and stop selling guns,” actress Alyssa Milano tweeted on Sunday.
Walmart only sells guns to customers over 21 years old, doesn’t sell assault-style rifles, and doesn’t sell handguns outside of Alaska.



