A Wal-Mart spokesman said the timing of the decision to remove those particular guns from its inventory had nothing to do with Wednesday's slaying of a broadcast journalist and her cameraman while conducting a live TV interview.

That shooting was conducted with a handgun, and although it was likely to revive a debate about gun ownership in the US, it was unrelated to Wal-Mart's decision, which was made earlier this year and was solely in response to flagging sales oft he AR-15, the company said.

"It's similar to what we do with any product. Being what it is, it gets a little more attention, but it's the same process for any other product," said company spokesman Kory Lundberg.

Inflicting maximum damage

The move was welcomed by some holders of the retail giant's stock, who have said the sale of weapons with high-capacity magazines blemish the company's reputation and endanger public safety.

Variations of the AR-15 have been used in other high-profile massacres, including the killing of 26 children and adults at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, and the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado.

Shareholders, some more vocally than others, have put pressure on Wal-Mart before to refrain from selling the powerful weapons.

Shareholder concerns

Last year, the historic Trinity Church on Wall Street, which owns Wal-Mart stock, demanded that a review of the company's sales policies be put to a popular vote at an annual shareholders' meeting.

When Wal-Mart's board of directors refused, the church sued and lost. On Wednesday, the church's rector, Rev. William Lupfer, cheered the retailer's decision to replace its inventory of AR-15s with other models of shotguns and rifles.

"Trinity Church is very pleased to hear that Wal-Mart will no longer sell the kinds of weapons that have caused such devastation and loss in communities across our country," Lupfer said.

cjc/uhe (Reuters, AP)