Walmart announced Wednesday that in light of the recent mass shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead, it is raising the minimum age for purchase of firearms and ammunition to 21.
In a statement, the company said the change would be implemented "as quickly as possible," and also promised to remove items from the Walmart website that look like assault-style rifles, including toys and nonlethal airsoft guns. In 2015, Walmart stopped selling rifles like the AR-15, which was used in the Florida shooting. "Our heritage as a company has always been in serving sportsmen and hunters, and we will continue to do so in a responsible way," the company said.
Earlier Wednesday, Dick's Sporting Goods said it will also stop selling guns to customers under 21, and will no longer carry high-capacity magazines.