Open-Carry Laws Thrust 2 Million Retail Workers Into Gun Debate

Walmart, Kroger employees will have to discourage gun-toters
Facing down fears, they will ask nicely -- or not ask at all

Mourners gather for a vigil outside the Walmart in El Paso on Aug. 7.Photographer: Luke E. Montavon/Bloomberg

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By Matthew Boyle, Polly Mosendz, and Rachel Adams-Heard

September 7, 2019 at 10:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

At Walmart Inc. and Kroger Co. stores, new policies that call for dissuading customers from carrying unconcealed firearms have thrust 2 million employees onto the front lines of America’s gun debate.

The retailers, along with drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and grocer Wegmans Food Markets Inc., said this week that they’ll ask people not to display guns in their aisles, even in states where it’s legal.