Walmart raises minimum age to 21 for firearms purchase

New York

US retail giant Walmart announced on Wednesday that it was raising to 21 its minimum age to buy firearms and ammunition, the latest US company to recalibrate its stance on weapons after a deadly Florida school shooting. "In light of recent events, we've taken an opportunity to review our policy on firearm sales. Going forward, we are raising the age restriction for purchase of firearms and ammunition to 21 years of age," it said in a statement. "We will update our processes as quickly as possible to implement this change."

The retailer said that it was also removing from its website items "resembling assault-style rifles, including non-lethal airsoft guns and toys" but that it would continue to serve "sportsmen and hunters" in a "responsible way".