The Kroger Co. grocery chain asked its customers Tuesday to stop openly carrying guns in its stores, following the lead of retail-giant Walmart.
While Kroger had previously abided by state and local laws, company spokesperson and group vice president of corporate affairs Jessica Adelman said they are changing course.
“Kroger is respectfully asking that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores, other than authorized law enforcement officers,” Ms. Adelman, said in a statement, according to Reuters.
“We are also joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence,” she added.
The move comes after Walmart made a similar request Tuesday. Walmart also announced it would discontinue selling ammunition for handguns and short-barreled rifles.
Walmart made the announcement a month after an early-August mass shooting in its El Paso store that left 21 people dead.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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