Wal-Mart toughens gun policies

[0:11] ..." agreement. Between Wal-Mart and the mayors against illegal guns called the responsible firearms retailer partnership. Retailers like Wal-Mart who volunteer to join this partnership agreed to implement 810 point code. Which will help ensure that"...

[1:17] ..." the biggest private employer in the world and the largest seller of firearms in the nation. We believe that this partnership has the potential to set a new standard for gun dealers across the country. We want customers and police officers to ask does this dealer follow the Wal-Mart stand in if not. Why not. Wal-Mart has always been a leader in developing"...

[2:05] ..." Thank you mayor Bloomberg and thank you offer to be a participant in this. It's our goal at Wal-Mart to be a strong partner to communities in which we operate. We have systems in place to help -- required forms are filled out correctly and the early. Video cameras monitor are sporting goods sections associates received training. On the proper sale of firearms. And before the sale of a firearm we require a proceed with -- response from the background check agency in all cases that -- require background check. Those practices go above and beyond what federal state or local laws require -- at the same time we feel we can still do more. To strengthen our standards while continue to serve the communities in which we in which we operate. When mayor Bloomberg approached us several months ago and asked to share our practices as a retailer. We saw an opportunity to just that which is why we are proud to be part of this partnership that the mayor's announcing today. Through the initiative. We've established this voluntary code that help secure fire to ensure process audits and inventory checks. To assist with the legal sale of firearms and ultimately in most importantly. -- to help keep the streets safe and our neighborhoods safe by keeping firearms out of the wrong hands. This this code is an avenue for Wal-Mart to strengthen our standards and it's our hope --"...

[0:00]" Over the past few months we've been talking to Wal-Mart about our efforts to crack down on illegal guns. This afternoon I'm pleased to announce the grand were a ground breaking agreement. Between Wal-Mart and the mayors against illegal guns called the responsible firearms retailer partnership. Retailers like Wal-Mart who volunteer to join this partnership agreed to implement 810 point code. Which will help ensure that guns don't fall into the wrong hands. This pioneering set of guidelines includes running background checks for employees to make sure that criminals aren't selling guns. Videotaping sales to deter straw purchasers. And creating trace logs to alert sales people of customers with suspicious sales history. Why Mark clearly shares our goals and mayor and their commitment to public safety is really commendable. They have been a leader in gun safety and with today's announcement they continue to build on that record. From my career in business I understand how one company especially illegal like Wal-Mart can move markets and influence business practices. As the biggest private employer in the world and the largest seller of firearms in the nation. We believe that this partnership has the potential to set a new standard for gun dealers across the country. We want customers and police officers to ask does this dealer follow the Wal-Mart stand in if not. Why not. Wal-Mart has always been a leader in developing best management practices that the rest of the world follows and we hope that this will be no different. The company's senior Vice President and chief compliant -- compliance officer JP Suarez is here with us today. He's a former prosecutor says he knows how important this issue is and I'd like to ask him to say if you work."

[2:05]" Thank you mayor Bloomberg and thank you offer to be a participant in this. It's our goal at Wal-Mart to be a strong partner to communities in which we operate. We have systems in place to help -- required forms are filled out correctly and the early. Video cameras monitor are sporting goods sections associates received training. On the proper sale of firearms. And before the sale of a firearm we require a proceed with -- response from the background check agency in all cases that -- require background check. Those practices go above and beyond what federal state or local laws require -- at the same time we feel we can still do more. To strengthen our standards while continue to serve the communities in which we in which we operate. When mayor Bloomberg approached us several months ago and asked to share our practices as a retailer. We saw an opportunity to just that which is why we are proud to be part of this partnership that the mayor's announcing today. Through the initiative. We've established this voluntary code that help secure fire to ensure process audits and inventory checks. To assist with the legal sale of firearms and ultimately in most importantly. -- to help keep the streets safe and our neighborhoods safe by keeping firearms out of the wrong hands. This this code is an avenue for Wal-Mart to strengthen our standards and it's our hope -- other retail and we'll policy"