UPDATE Aug. 15, 2019 – Walmart released the following statement Thursday, voicing support for the various gun-control legislation currently being discussed on Capitol Hill:
“We’re encouraged that broad support is emerging to strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger,” said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon in a prepared statement. “We believe the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons ban should be debated to determine its effectiveness in keeping weapons made for war out of the hands of mass murderers.”
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Aug. 13, 2019 – Blaming guns for massacres has become accepted gospel for anti-gun activists, but the latest attack at an El Paso Walmart has sparked another kind of blame-shifting.
Just days after Parkland activist David Hogg called for Walmart to halt sales of guns and ammunition, social justice warriors have taken aim at the gun-related merchandise sold on Walmart’s website by third-party dealers.
Twitter users voiced their condemnation of several offending t-shirt designs, one of which features a checked box beside “Gun Owner” and an unchecked box beside “Victim.” Another reads, “Gun control is being able to hit your target.”
Beyond comment. @Walmart finds problems with signs for video games. But not guns. And not this. https://t.co/lcCXohz3Qm
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) August 12, 2019
Yeah…. Wal-Mart probably shouldn’t be selling this shirt pic.twitter.com/UHxD5W3alx
— Daniel Gamlin (@RaiseUpNC) August 12, 2019
Hey @Walmart. You really sell this T-Shirt on your website? pic.twitter.com/mUBmBeTarP
— Andrew Ross Sorkin (@andrewrsorkin) August 12, 2019
I don’t own a gun. Never wil, and here’s why.. if I ever saw a person wearing that shirt I would shoot them right through the victim check box. #BoycottWalmart
— Betsy (@betsybaumb) August 12, 2019
SEE ALSO: Walmart Shopper Tried to Fight Back Against El Paso Killer, Regrets Not Having Gun
The actual size of a Twitter mob is difficult to determine. The story was originally reported by The Washington Post, and a Twitter search of “Walmart shirt gun” reveals quite a few posts. But this wouldn’t be the first time the mainstream media has exaggerated the extent of an anti-gun “backlash” and its original cause.
The Post, for example, reports that “the most controversial merchandise is that which appears to condone or promote gun violence,” but doesn’t provide any examples of such merchandise.
The attacks were apparently strong enough that Walmart spokesman Ravi Jariwala issued a response to the Post’s questions.
“We have a policy that prohibits merchandise glorifying violence,” he said, “and we’re continually reviewing our assortment to remove items as needed.”
A larger backlash may have come after Walmart decided to remove posters and displays depicting violent video games.
“Turn off or unplug any video game display consoles that show a demo of violent games,” Walmart said in a notice to staff. “Cancel any events prompting combat style or third-person shooter games that may be scheduled in Electronics.”
“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.
Many Twitter users found this response to the mass murder perpetrated on Walmart property unacceptable.
SEE ALSO: Walmart to Stop Selling Guns in New Mexico Because of Background Check Law
So after a mass shooting occurs, Wal-Mart decides the proper response is to remove “violent” video game displays but continue the sales of guns and ammunition??? Are you kidding me?!?!??! Take the biggest of L’s for this Wal-Mart. #BoycottWalmart pic.twitter.com/QqhnTMV5Mh
— Dashni Yoyo (@DiscipleDashni) August 9, 2019
So you’re telling me Wal-Mart sells guns and ammunition but decides to remove display of violent video games like what? #BoycottWalmart pic.twitter.com/ITjrToKDuM
— Sylph (@mssylph) August 9, 2019
Breaking News: To help combat the Opioid crisis in America, Wal-Mart is gonna ban the sale of Doritos.
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) August 9, 2019
Like sellers on Amazon, many vendors on Walmart’s website use the retailer as a platform to sell their own products. All of the shirts Twitter users have taken issue with fall into this category, and Walmart has not said the percentage of each sale the company keeps.
The Twitter mob forced at least one vendor, Tee’s Plus, to remove the Gun Owner/Victim design, but many others are still available.
They wont sell this shirt but Walmart will sell a Christmas shirt showing Santa Clause doing 3 lines of Coke.
When I see stories like this, I think its perfect fear training, see a gun magazine on a store rack, an AR type rifle in a sporting goods store, or now even a t-shirt, start trembling in fear, you are doomed. Hey, I get it Wally, yer sensitive.
Wally World is going to keep up with this kind of crap and they will lose me.
That’s too bad. I would have bought two or three of those shirts if I had known about them.
when you have twits for customers….
This is another of the many reasons why I don’t go to walmart.
Tweeter Betsy, it’s people like you who shouldn’t be allowed to own firearms.
My local Walmart still has a vibrant long gun and ammunition area. All items are locked up (but on display), and a Walmart Team Member who is familiar with handling these items will assist when asked. It is good to see that this “fear of objects” hasn’t taken hold everywhere.
Hey Twitter User Betsy…..I think you just committed a Hate Crime! if Kamala has her way.
Walmart still sells pantyhose, gloves and ski mask, their used in crimes too! Come to think of it, so is spray paint, knifes and other things as well.
Adults are the biggest problem we have in our society today. So many of them are in their own righteous worlds, completely resisting any real civilized interaction. They think they have all the solutions to everything, and yet nothing improves by their actions. It only keeps getting worse because of their stubborn righteousness.