Walmart, Amazon begin to restrict weapons in Manitoba

After previously ignoring the province’s requests to impose restrictions on online sales of machetes, and other long-bladed weapons, Walmart and Amazon have pulled a 180 this week and are now vowing to restrict access to the weapons here in Manitoba and beyond.  

“I think it’s a clear sign that we can make a difference here in little Ol’ Manitoba,” said Matt Wiebe, Manitoba’s Minister of Justice.

On Wednesday Walmart Canada confirmed that they are halting the sale of machetes in stores across the country, following a similar announcement from Amazon on Monday, that the online retailer would be blocking all machete shipments to Manitoba addresses.

“In the case of Walmart, pulling machetes sales from across Canada in terms of online sales, we feel like that is going to make communities across the country safer,” said Wiebe.

Manitoba’s restrictions regarding Machete sales, which came into effect at the end of 2024, only apply to in-store sales, requiring businesses to only sell the items to adults with photo identification.

Meaning prior to this week, customers of sites like Amazon and Walmart were able to bypass the restrictions and purchase the weapons, prompting the province to write to both companies pleading for them to “comply” with the legislation.

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“We are calling on the Federal government to review the long-bladed weapon legislation and to come into line with what we are doing in Manitoba targeting those specific kinds of weapons,” said Wiebe.

As for potential next steps, Wiebe says the province is considering all options to get existing machetes off Manitoban streets. Pointing to measures taken in England, where owning or selling a machete or serrated long blade is now prohibited.

“This is an all-government approach that they took in the U.K. and I think that is going to be key for us in how we implement it here in Manitoba as well, so we are excited to delve into that deeper.”