Wal-Mart’s New Gun Sales Policy – Value? Nothing

Wal-Mart had to do something. Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City is on a crusade and taking tips from Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson on how to bully corporations for political gain. That’s simply what this is about, what looks good for elitists like Bloomberg.

I understand that Bloomberg and his like want to keep criminals from getting firearms, but we all know that criminals do not walk into Wal-Mart – or any other dealer – to buy their weapon of choice legally. This is a pure publicity stunt, specifically designed to get the world’s largest retailer to give up selling firearms and ammunition.

People must understand Wal-Mart’s policy changes – whether required by the government or voluntary – will do absolutely nothing to solve Bloomberg’s problem. Nothing. From the New York Times…

The agreement between Wal-Mart and the group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which Mr. Bloomberg helped to organize in 2006, calls for turning a more watchful eye on firearm sales, including videotaping sales of guns and conducting criminal background checks on store clerks who handle guns.

It also calls for keeping a record each time the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives links a gun bought at Wal-Mart to a crime. If a person who buys a gun linked to a crime were to return to a Wal-Mart to buy another gun, the purchase would be flagged. It would then be up to the store whether to permit the purchase.

First thing’s first. I was under the impression that those who sold firearms in a retail store already needed to have a background check. Next, I guaranty not one crime will be stopped by a videotape of someone buying a rifle.

Note to readers. Wal-Mart does not sell handguns, only long arms, and criminals prefer cheap, concealable weapons.

Malkin links to Wayne LaPierre statement, he’s the CEO of the National Rifle Association.

“I view it as a public relations stunt that stigmatizes law-abiding firearms purchasers exercising their freedom under the Constitution,” said NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre. He said that if politicians were serious about reducing gun crime they would worry less about legal sellers and buyers and get tougher criminal sentences for illegal gun dealers.

“I honestly think it’s a corporation trying to curry favor with politicians as opposed to doing anything meaningful about stopping crime,” said LaPierre.

Again, this will do nothing except allow Wal-Mart to gain some political points with the Bloombergs of the world. But Wal-Mart will loose in the end since this will not be enough for the gun-grabbing goons.

Next, they will demand that stores ask for ID when purchasing ammunition, then they will ask for some sort of database of buyers. Next they will demand that Wal-Mart contacts law enforcement if someone buys more than 100 rounds of ammunition, and then finally they will demand that Wal-Mart stop selling ammunition.

More than likely, shoppers will go elsewhere due to the stupid Wal-Mart policies and the largest retailer in the world will stop selling firearms and ammunition – exactly what Bloomberg wants!

You think that won’t happen?

Heck, Wal-Mart is a disgusting place anyway. The place is a mess and the only reason I went in there was to buy inexpensive ammunition. Guess I’ll be paying a few extra dollars for WWB by shopping elsewhere.