NEW YORK (Reuters) - Walmart Inc removed firearms and ammunition from U.S. store floors this week to protect customers and employees as tensions across the country have been rising, the world's largest retailer said on Thursday.

The move comes days before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 3, with many worried that the result could be contested or spark violence.

"We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers," a Walmart spokesman said. The company does not have a date for when it will place the guns and ammunition back on the shelves, he added.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer, which sells firearms in approximately half of its more than 5,000 U.S. stores, will still sell the items upon request, it said.

Retailers have been on edge after raiders earlier this year smashed windows, stole merchandise and, at times, set stores ablaze in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Portland and other U.S. cities. In an another trend that has fed concern, gun sales in the United States this year have reached record highs, and more first-time buyers have purchased firearms recent months.

In June, Walmart pulled firearms and ammunition from some U.S. sales stores amid nationwide protests over the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in late May.

Last year, the retailer stopped selling ammunition for handguns and some assault-style rifles in all its U.S. stores. It has also in the past called for a strengthening of background checks for gun buyers and action to take guns out of the hands of those who pose a risk of violence.

Shares of the retailer were trading roughly flat after the bell.

Walmart employee in parkersburg wv told me they pulled guns and ammo from what happened in Philadelphia with the looting of the store. still had reloading and muzzleloader supplies. i d rather spend my money at local pawn shop/gun store anyways.

Instead of hiding the guns why dont they use them to defend their property?
Ask for volunteers to work the nightshift-puts a whole new spin on "Wal mart greeter"

This is at least the third post on this same topic. Its easy to do, if moderators would merge them all together, it would really clean up the forum and stop pushing other threads to the next page where they will see little attention. Just a suggestion....

Thanks for posting canvasback2 we all should stay informed I for one do as little shopping in walmart.as I can and this will encourage me to do even less.

It’s not a bad move for stores in liberal places. I think trump is going to win, and if he does the left is going to lose their ever lovin minds. Could get ugly in places like Portland, Seattle, New York, etc.

I like to buy guns from gun dealers. If there’s a problem you can bring it in and they’ll help you solve it. They can work on it, clean it for you, mount accessories, etc. I wouldn’t want a Walmart associates advice on a gun. Most of them probably don’t even know where the chamber is.

All this must mean Trump is going to win, since Trump supporters aren't the loot and riot types. We have to work on Wednesday.

I have quit shopping at Wallmart since they went anti 2A so I could not care less what they do. I am lucky now that I have moved to TN as in this area there are nearly as many gun stores as there are churches. I only frequent the former though. Trying not to buy stuff( not firearms related ) that is not made in China is proving way more difficult than not shopping at Wally World for me.

Thank you walmart for protecting us!! The democrats will protect everyone too by defunding the police!! Here’s an idea, get the “peaceful protesters” off the streets and quit letting the career criminals out of prison.

Ok guys all you have to do is ask a sales person and they will help you buy guns and ammo

Better still. Don't set a foot in the place and go someplace else.