Anti-gun activists protest Walmart gun sales

DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — One month after 20 children and six adults were killed in Newtown, people from all over the country gathered at a nearby Walmart demanding change. 

Protesters gathered outside of a Walmart in Danbury this morning to drop off hundreds of thousands of signed petitions demanding the chain store stop selling assault-style weapons and munitions.

"Walmart is the largest seller of assault weapons in the country with over 1,750 stores across the country selling their assault weapons," said Anthony Mercurio, SumofUs.org.

Most in the crowd said they're gun owners themselves, and support the 2nd amendment. What they don't support is the sale of assault-style weapons and munitions.

"What I want to see accomplished today is to have Walmart, the largest seller of assault-style weapons in the country, re-consider that," said Pam Simon, Tucson, Arizona shooting survivor.

She, and hundreds of thousands of others, have signed a petition asking Walmart to remove assault weapons from its shelves.

"I don't think Walmart wants to be known for selling the bullet that killed a first grader," said Emily Moore, Trumbull resident. "So I think maybe they should rethink some of their practices about what they sell and what they carry in their stores."

"The ammunition and stuff, no it is not welcome in our community anymore," said Darren Wagner, Sandy Hook resident.

The online push began after the Newtown shootings. With more than 1,700 stores across the country organizers say Walmart should take the lead in banning these military-style weapons.

"They're made and designed to kill masses of people in a very rapid amount of time, so there's no reason why you should have those in your homes," said Roxanna Greene, daughter killed in Tucson, Arizona shooting.

This particular Walmart does not sell assault weapons or munitions, but organizers chose the location because of its proximity to Newtown.

Survivors of other mass shootings traveled there Tuesday to deliver a letter to Walmart's CEO, asking him to 'do the right thing,' which they say is prioritizing families over profit.

"On Jan. 8, 2011 I was on the staff of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 people were either shot or killed that day and I was one of those people," said Simon.

"I'm Roxanna Greene I came from Tucson, Arizona with Pam Simon here. My daughter was murdered on Jan. 8, 2011. We just had the 2-year anniversary," said Greene.

Both Simon and Greene say the shooting in Tucson is what led them to the Connecticut Walmart.

"It was a high-capacity magazine of ammunition that was used in the shooting," said Simon.

Both Simon and Greene say the shooting in Tucson is what led them to the Danbury Walmart.

"It was a high-capacity magazine of ammunition that was used in the shooting," said Simon.

They delivered the petitions to the store manager, and hope the retail giant will take the lead on this issue.

"I promise I will get this to the people who will be willing to understand your issues and go forward from there," said John Ruggieri, Walmart Manager.