Walmart Forced To Stop Selling Brass Knuckles In California

SACRAMENTO, CA — Brass knuckles are no longer available for sale on Walmart's website, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday.

A settlement agreement against the giant retailer by the state alleges that illegal weapons — specifically brass knuckles — were sold to California consumers online by Walmart and its third-party sellers.

As part of the settlement, Walmart will pay $500,000 and will stop selling brass knuckles.

“Illegal weapons have no place in California," Bonta said in a released statement. "The settlement we have reached with Walmart makes crystal clear that online retailers are responsible for what they are allowing to be offered for sale in our state."

California bans the manufacture, sale and possession of brass knuckles, which are classified as a deadly weapon in the state.

Through Walmart’s website, Walmart.com, the retailer allegedly sold the illegal weapons directly to consumers and the site served as an e-commerce platform for third-party sellers as well. Approximately 250 pairs of brass knuckles were sold by Walmart during the state's investigation period that began approximately five years ago. About 60% of the brass knuckles sold were directly from Walmart, while the remaining 40% sold were via third parties on the Walmart.com website, according to Bonta.

Examples of brass knuckles allegedly sold on Walmart’s website can be found here and here.

Walmart provided an emailed statement about the settlement, which read in full: "We are committed to being the most trusted retailer. While we believe our policies and procedures comply with California law and admit no liability or wrongdoing, we believe this agreement is in the best interest of all parties."

In addition to Bonta's office, Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, and Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko assisted in the Walmart investigation.

The alleged illegal sales first came to the attention of Ventura County officials in 2018, Bonta said during a Tuesday press conference.

“It was too easy for our investigators to make online purchases of illegal brass knuckles,” Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a released statemnt. “Walmart and other retailers need to take a hard look at their online sales practices and ensure that they are in compliance with California law.”

Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira said brass knuckles sold online are just as dangerous to the community as if they were sold from a store counter.

“Online retailers must put safety over profits," a released statement from Silveira said.

In addition to the payment, under the settlement Walmart must halt brass knuckles sales in California, and, among other things, the retailer is now required to "take reasonable steps to identify California consumers who have purchased unlawful weapons from Walmart and send a notice to those consumers notifying them that the item may be unlawful and that they may contact their local law enforcement agency for information on how to properly surrender the item."

A copy of the complaint and judgment against Walmart can be found here and here.

It's not the first time Walmart has been questioned about weapons sales. The company has faced nationwide criticism by gun opponents for selling firearms and ammunition.

Amid pushback, in 2018 the retailer raised the minimum age to purchase guns and ammunition to 21.

The company also ended sales of modern sporting rifles, including the AR-15, as well as handguns.

In September 2019, Walmart also stopped selling ammunition that can be used in large-capacity magazines on military-style weapons.