Kroger-owned Fred Meyer will stop selling guns to anyone under 21
Grocery giant Kroger will stop selling guns to anyone under 21 at its regional chain of Fred Meyer stores.
Fred Meyer, which has stores in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho, will no longer sell guns to anyone under 21
The grocer is the latest to add its name to the list of companies who are changing their gun policies following the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida last month that killed 17 people. Both Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods have also said they won’t sell guns to anyone under the age of 21 in recent days.
Dick’s also plans to stop selling assault-style rifles at its 35 Field & Stream stores, while Walmart is removing items from its website that resemble assault-style rifles, including non-lethal airsoft guns and toys.
In a statement, Kroger said that it has "taken a hard look" at its policies and procedures for firearm sales following the shooting. In addition to raising the minimum age to 21, the company said it will no longer accept any special orders of assault-style rifles at Fred Meyer stores in Alaska. Fred Meyer banned the sale of assault-style rifles at its Oregon, Washington and Idaho stores several years ago.
"Recent events demonstrate the need for additional action on the part of responsible gun retailers," it said.
A number of companies have severed ties with the National Rifle Association in recent weeks. Brands including Delta, Hertz, United and MetLife have all stopped offering discounts to members of the gun rights group in the wake of the massacre.
The NRA responded by stating that "the loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend the individual freedoms that have always made America the greatest nation in the world."