JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Walmart has temporarily cleared the gun cases in its stores in Florida while the company updates its systems to comply with the state's new law requiring a three-day waiting period to buy a rifle.
After asking a Walmart spokesman why all guns were removed from its store on Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park, the company sent News4Jax the following statement:
As a retailer that takes seriously its obligation to be a responsible seller of firearms we have temporarily suspended the sale of firearms in Florida to update our systems to comply with the recent change in state law. We expect to complete the system update and resume sales as soon as possible.”
At multiple other Walmart stores in the Jacksonville area, empty cases could also be seen in the sporting goods section where firearms used to be placed.
Linda Gividen, who told News4Jax that she is a former military service member and a gun owner, said she agrees with the company's decision to suspend sales while making sure it is complying with the new law.
"I think it's a wise move on their part, both for the community and for themselves," Gividen said. "Considering it's such a large organization, yes, I think it's very prudent of them."
In addition to complying with the law Gov. Rick Scott signed last week, Walmart has said it will raise the age to 21 for all gun and ammunition sales in all its U.S. stores.
In 2015, Walmart stopped selling modern sporting rifles. The retail giant also does not sell handguns in Florida or Georgia, and does not sell bump stocks, high-capacity magazines or similar accessories.