DETROIT (AP) - In the wake of protests by gun control advocates, Kmart Corp. has announced that it will phase out the sale of handgun ammunition over the next 90 days.

Officials for the discount chain, which includes more than 2,000 stores and is headquartered in Troy, Mich., made the announcement Thursday. It came after meetings between company executives, filmmaker Michael Moore and victims of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado.

However, company spokeswoman Julie Fracker said Kmart's decision was based on marketing concerns, not pressure from Moore and gun control groups.

"Obviously we consider ourselves a socially conscious business, but this was a business decision made in the best interests of the company," she said.

Fracker said the sale of firearms and ammunition has been under review as part of the merchandising strategy of the company's new executive team for some time.

The stores do not carry handguns, but do sell hunting rifles and other long guns. Fracker said the company found that demand for handgun ammunition at its store was nominal.

Moore and three survivors of the Columbine shooting met with Kmart executives in Troy for four hours on Wednesday, requesting they take the ammunition off their shelves.

The group held a news conference Thursday to announce the results of the meetings and call attention to gun violence.

Moore said he is very happy and surprised with Kmart's decision.

"I'm totally, totally stunned by the response from Kmart today, he said.

Moore spokeswoman Meghan O'Hara said the filmmaker began looking at the Columbine shooting as part of his current film project which examines the roles of guns and fear in American society.

Moore is best known for his 1989 documentary "Roger & Me," which assailed General Motors Corp.'s actions in closing a plant in Moore's hometown, Flint.

Amy Stilwell, spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said her group was not involved in Moore's efforts. "But we support any measure that promotes safety and responsible access to firearms and related products," she said.

The National Rifle Association did not immediately return messages left Thursday seeking comment.

Fracker said the phasing out of ammunition began Thursday. The ending of sales of ammunition at individual stores will vary depending when they run out of the ammunition they currently have in stock.

Similar changes are not in the works at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation's No. 1 retailer.

Jessica Moser, spokeswoman for the Bentonville, Ark.-based company, said its marketing studies show that there is a customer demand for handgun ammunition at Wal-Mart stores.

Moser said the company makes ever effort to make sure the ammunition does not get into the wrong hands and that all sales associates who sell the ammunition are properly trained.

"The bottom line is: We follow customer demand, but we also follow the law," she said.

Wal-Mart stores, except for those in Alaska, do not sell handguns. Like Kmart, they also carry hunting rifles and related accessories, Moser said.

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