Walmart sells firearms, including rifles made by Ruger. But an employee in Dallas drew the line when it came to printing an engagement photo that featured weapons made by the same company the corporation promotes.
Stephanie Wehner and her husband-to-be Mitch Strobl posed for a series of engagement photos, including one that reportedly showed Strobl slinging a 12-gauge Ruger Red Label over-and-under shotgun over this shoulder. But when they went to Walmart to retrieve their 13 photos, they only got 12 back – and a note that read “MINUS ONE 5×7. NO WEAPONS,” reports the Daily Mail.
A Walmart employee reportedly explained to the couple that she felt the photo promoted “gang violence,” something that is against “store policy,” and that she was sorry, but she wouldn’t process it.
Wehner says she is disappointed because the photo “depicts our love for each other, and I wanted to be able to display those at the reception,” reports WFAA. The couple is set to get married this weekend.
Wehner also described the picture as one that is both “creative” and includes something that is important to them both, adding that the rifle was the first Stobl purchased for himself and is his personal favorite when he goes hunting.
Strobl says he is shocked that they are being associated with gang members and that guns are simply a part of their lives, particularly since he creates manuals about hunter safety and outdoor recreation for a living.
Walmart issued a statement in which it blamed the new employee for mishandling the situation.
“We had a new associate who was misinformed. Her actions are not consistent with our policy,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Walmart is not against printing photos of its customers holding firearms.