Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
As protests continue this week in the St. Louis area, mobs entered a number of area Walmart locations to cause retail disruptions and shout slogans. Considering the violent nature of the demonstrations that began after a burglary suspect was shot by police in Ferguson more than two months ago, KMOV reports the chain reacted by removing all ammunition from area store shelves.
Walmart stores across the St. Louis area pulling ammunition from its shelves & locked up
http://t.co/1tSXPII1Sh pic.twitter.com/edLXk8uUP6
— Gun Culture World (@guncultureworld) October 16, 2014
Looting has been a common occurrence in many of the protests, leading Walmart to lock up merchandise that could be stolen and used to injure or kill innocent victims should the current demonstrations take a violent turn.
Though the most recent round of activism was mostly peaceful, reports indicate several participants were arrested.
“If there is a history of violence and looting and other activity that are going on or things that are putting associates and customers at risk,” Walmart spokesman Brian Nick said, “then yes, decisions can be made based on those circumstances.”
He confirmed that stores in Ferguson and nearby Maplewood locked up ammunition before the recent protests began. More locations followed suit after the demonstrations took place.
The precautionary measure was well-received by patrons like Tim Casey.
“I can see why they would think that would be a concern if someone did break in en masse and loot the place and steal ammo,” he said.
Photo Credit: Twitter/Gun Culture World
BCN editor’s note: This article first appeared at Western Journalism.
