UPDATE: Wal-Mart takes tactical guns off the shelf

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- An update to an ABC 57 News exclusive. Last week ABC 57 told you how Wal-Mart was not following a written agreement with the City of South Bend regarding the sale of guns.

ABC 57 found tactical guns and .223 high-powered ammunition it promised not to sell. Now, because of our news report, the retail giant is now taking those guns off the shelves.

Common Council Vice President Oliver Davis held a phone conference with Wal-Mart on Monday morning. Davis said the store was very apologetic and eager to fix the problem.

Reverend Greg Brown, a local minister on the city's West side, became concerned about Wal-Mart’s gun sales after two of the kids in his youth group said they were offered $50 to steal ammunition from the store.

"A gentleman came to them with a gym bag and asked them to load it up with ammunition and come out where they get tires," Brown.

ABC 57 went to the Wal-Mart off Ireland Road in South Bend. That is when we found a 12 gauge tactical shotgun in the display case, next to .223 high-powered ammunition.

Both items are not supposed to be sold at the store based on a written agreement with the City of South Bend.

"We had a great relationship with them and this is why it was alarming to me that they had not honored their part of the bargain," said Davis.

"A .223 round can shoot through a bulletproof vest, so we are concerned about our police officers safety and anybody else," said Councilman Tim Scott.

After our news report aired, the common council took action. Davis sent a letter to Wal-Mart notifying the store that it was not in compliance with the agreement. 

One week later, at Monday's Common Council meeting, Davis updated council members on his correspondence with Wal-Mart.

"I had a meeting with Wal-Mart and some of their officials via phone. We met for about a half hour and talked about the situation going on," said Davis.  

In the conference call, Wal-Mart agreed to get the store in compliance and has since started removing those prohibited items from its shelves. Council members said they are pleased with Wal-Mart's swift action and response to the matter.

"It was really a good meeting. It was a very pleasant meeting because, like we told them, Wal-Mart has been a key part of the 6th district and a part of the growth in that area. So, we want to continue to keep great relationships with them," said Davis. 

Davis said the original agreement with Wal-mart still stands. The retail giant will also be providing the common council with a written report, outlining the changes they have made at the store.