Albertsons Cos. makes move on guns

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. has joined the ever-growing list of retailers that are asking customers not to openly carry firearms in their stores.

According to a tweet from the retailer, in order for its grocery stores to continuously feel safe and welcoming, Albertsons asks that the open carry policy only pertain to authorized law enforcement officers.

After incidents of deadly gun violence at two retail locations, retailers are taking gun control into their own hands. Walmart revealed that it would discontinue sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition that could be used in large capacity clips on military-style weapons, as well as sell-through and discontinue handgun ammunition, and discontinue handgun sales in Alaska, marking the mega-retailer’s complete exit from handguns.

“We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand,” Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon wrote in a letter posted on the company’s corporate website. “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.”

This isn't the first time that the retailers have responded to gun violence: Following the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Fla., Walmart and Kroger's Fred Meyer chain raised the minimum age for buying firearms and ammunition in their stores to 21, before the latter banner discontinued gun sales entirely.

“As it relates to safety in our stores, there have been multiple incidents since El Paso where individuals attempting to make a statement and test our response have entered our stores carrying weapons in a way that frightened or concerned our associates and customers,” McMillon said in the letter. “We have also had well-intentioned customers acting lawfully that have inadvertently caused a store to be evacuated and local law enforcement to be called to respond.”