Giant US supermarket chain hides guns and ammo as sales explode

With five days left until the presidential elections, Walmart, the biggest US supermarket chain, has hidden all firearms and ammunition displays from the public.

A spokesperson said this was done “due to the current unrest in the country and out of an abundance of caution”.

The Wall Street Journal says Walmart is taking this action to discourage the theft of firearms if social unrest and looting affect stores.

Walmart sells guns and ammunition in around half of its 4,700 US stores. Bona fide customers will still be able to buy these items on request.

Gun sales have skyrocketed this year with 40% of all firearms sold to first-time gun owners.

In an effort to quell rising gun-violence in the country, Walmart stopped selling assault rifles and other military firearms four years ago. Then it raised the age for ammo sales from 18 to 21 in 2018.

Last year it banned customers from openly carrying firearms in its stores, following deadly shootings at stores in Texas and Mississippi.

It allows customers to carry firearms under their clothing or in their pockets if they have a “concealed carry” permit.