How Many Guns Are There and Who Owns Them? - Retail Sales

Some national retailers are getting out of the firearms business. By early 1996 Sears, JC Penney, Montgomery Ward, and Target had all stopped selling firearms because of the lack of profitability, concern over lawsuits, and the difficulties involved in keeping track of the various local, state, and federal laws. Many of the stores removed firearms from their shelves because management believed that guns did not fit the family image they were promoting.

On the other hand, Kmart and Wal-Mart do sell rifles and shotguns in their stores. Kmart does not sell any handguns and stopped selling handgun ammunition in 2001. Wal-Mart does not keep any handguns in stock but its customers can order them through the company's catalog. Both Kmart and Wal-Mart are concerned that they adequately train their sales staffs to comply with the various gun laws. In June 2002 Wal-Mart revised its gun policy to delay the gun-buying process in their stores until a buyer receives an approved background check from the National Instant Check System, even if the approval process takes longer than the prescribed limit of three business days.