Fred Meyer says it will stop selling guns, ammunition at stores

Superstore company Fred Meyer says it will stop selling firearms and ammunition at its stores. 

“Fred Meyer has made a business decision to exit the firearms category,” the company said in a statement Friday, according to The Associated Press. “We are currently working on plans to responsibly phase out sales of firearms and ammunition.”

The superstore chain said it made the decision after “evaluating changing customer preferences.” It also cited “softening consumer demand” for such products. 

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The company currently sells guns at nearly 45 of its 132 stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, according to the AP. 

The decision came more than a month after a deadly mass shooting at a South Florida high school reignited a nationwide debate over gun control laws and access to firearms. 

The Portland, Ore.-based Fred Meyer did not mention that shooting in the statement announcing its decision to stop selling guns. 

In the wake of the shooting, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced that it would no longer sell assault-style rifles, and Walmart and L.L. Bean said they would stop selling guns to individuals under the age of 21.