Walmart says it will continue selling guns and ammunition following the mass shooting at its store in El Paso, Texas, which left 20 people dead and 26 injured.
The retailer said it has no plans to change its retail and security practices in the wake of the tragedy.
'Our focus has always been on being a responsible seller of firearms,' company spokesman Randy Hargrove said in an interview with Bloomberg on Sunday.
'We go beyond federal law requiring all customers to pass a background check before purchasing any firearm.'
Walmart won't stop selling guns and ammunition and has no plans to change its retail and security practices following the mass shooting in an El Paso, Texas, store which left 20 people dead and 26 injured (file image)
Hargrove added that in 2015 Walmart stopped selling military-style semi-automatic rifles, which he referred to as 'modern sporting rifles.'
He also told Bloomberg that Walmart removed from its website any air gun or toy that might resemble assault weapons, he said.
Walmart last year took action by raising the minimum age on gun purchases from 18 to 21. The world's biggest retailer, as policy, does not break out data on gun sales.
The shooting occurred at a Walmart store which had required every employee receive 'active shooter' training, said Hargrove. The training, in partnership with Texas State University, is given four times a year
The shooting occurred at a Walmart store which had required every employee receive 'active shooter' training, said Hargrove. The training, in partnership with Texas State University, is given four times a year.
Walmart employees are trained to avoid, deny entry and as a last resort physically defend themselves when faced with an armed assailant, Hargrove said.
'There's not been any directive to any stores around the country to change any policy,' he said.
'We're focused on supporting our associates, customers and the entire El Paso community.'
At least 20 people were killed and 26 were injured at the El Paso store in a 20-minute attack on Saturday.
A gunman, identified by police as Patrick Crusius, 21, opened fire on the store in what authorities are calling an act of domestic terrorism.
Surveillance video shows a man believed to be Crusius walking in through the front entrance of the Cielo Vista Mall Walmart with an AK47-styled assault rifle.
The gunman, wearing what appears to be ear defenders and cargo pants, first opened fire in the parking lot outside the store, shooting and killing 'locals that were fundraising outside the Walmart selling water. Children and adults.'
He then walked through the front door in a calm and confident state, as if he was 'on a mission', a witness said.
The twenty-minute massacre that followed would go on to become the eighth deadliest in US history.
Crusius was arrested at the scene, and faces capital murder charges.
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