A Myrtle Beach, S.C. Target employee found a loaded gun in the store's toy aisle May 30.
According to the Associated Press, police are still investigating the incident.
The employee noticed the firearm on a superhero toy box after looking into a potential robbery at the store. While the worker says he reportedly saw a man constantly pace in the section, officers do not know if the same individual placed the 9 mm handgun with the toys. Authorities said they'll try to identify a suspect through security camera footage. The gun was not reported stolen, and contained eight bullets.
The gun discovery comes upon activist group Mom's Demand Action For Gun Sense in America's efforts to stop Target customers from bringing firearms into retail locations. The group previously focused gun prevention efforts on Starbucks and Chipotle.
A spokeswoman for the advocacy group told The Wall Street Journal mothers don't feel safe shopping with their children at the company's locations, where gun advocates exercise the right to carry a firearm.
"Mom's have their eye on Target because it's a place we take our children to ship - and we've been disturbed by some of demonstrations that gun extremists have held with loaded rifles inside and outside some stores. Assault rifles have no place in the baby aisle," Erika Soto Lamb said.
A Target spokesperson said the retailer keeps customers and employees.
"The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority," Molly Snyder said. "Target does not sell firearms or ammunition, and while I do not have information specific to this organization to share, what I can tell you is that Target is committed to following all state and federal laws."
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz asked customers to leave guns at home Sept. 18 according to Reuters. Chipotle made their request May 20, AP reported.
