COEUR d'ALENE - Fewer people are going to Wal-Mart for AR-15 rifles and other semi-automatic weapons, prompting the retailer to stop selling the products entirely.

But other stores in the region have seen an increase in demand for the weapons, and have no plans to eliminate their stock.

Company spokesman Kory Lundberg said Wednesday that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will remove the remaining inventory as stores transition from summer to fall merchandise, which should take a week or two to complete. He added that the decision to remove the weapons was not political and was made earlier this year by the Bentonville, Ark.-based company.

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

Dwight Van Horn, who sits on the National Rifle Association's board of directors and is a North Idaho resident, told The Press Thursday that the NRA is disappointed with the retailer's decision.

"(But) we appreciate the retailers who continue to carry these firearms and enable law-abiding citizens to purchase the firearm of their choice," he added.

The AR-15 rifles and other modern sporting rifles were being sold at less than a third of Wal-Mart's 4,600 U.S. stores.

Lundberg said the company had seen a decrease in sales of the particular models of guns, but declined to give specific sales numbers. He added that stores would increase inventory of other models of shotguns and rifles popular among hunters.

"We wanted to make sure when customers are coming and looking to purchase those products, they see the products they want," Lundberg said. "We see more business from hunters and people shooting clay."

Edward Santos, owner and founder of Center Target Sports in Post Falls, told The Press Thursday that his store has no plans to take Wal-Mart's approach with gun sales.

"Where they're seeing the market flatline, we are seeing the market grow," he said. "We've actually seen an increase in sales and have dedicated a lot of our efforts and floorspace to carrying all of the accessories for the AR-15."

Santos added that he believes what separates a store like his from Wal-Mart is that his specializes in gun sales and does not carry a limited number of products like the big box chain.

Van Horn echoed Santos' sentiments, adding that the overall demand for the weapons likely didn't play a role in the corporation's decision.

"Wal-Mart could care less that Black Sheep has got a regular conga line of AR-15s leaving their store," he said. "They're not concerned that AR-15s are selling all over the country, they're concerned that they're not selling in their stores."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.