AG James Fines Walmart For Shipping Realistic Toy Gun To Westchester

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — One of the country's largest retailers has run afoul of a New York ban on realistic-looking toy guns.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office has secured a settlement with Walmart for shipping those realistic-looking toy guns to New York.

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that third-party sellers on Walmart's online store sold the banned realistic-looking toy guns to New York residents, and that through its fulfillment services, Walmart shipped nine of them to New York addresses, including Westchester County, New York City, and Western New York.

Investigators from OAG were able to purchase a realistic toy gun from Walmart and have it shipped to New York.

State law prohibits retailers from selling or shipping toy guns that are black, dark blue, silver, or aluminum-colored and look like a real gun. Toy guns sold in New York must be made in bright colors or made entirely of transparent or translucent materials.

Realistic-looking toy guns can be used to engage in unlawful activity and have led to several deaths and shootings across New York, according to the AG.

"Realistic-looking toy guns can put communities in serious danger and that is why they are banned in New York," James said. "Walmart failed to prevent its third-party sellers from selling realistic-looking toy guns to New York addresses, violating our laws and putting people at risk. The ban on realistic-looking toy guns is meant to keep New Yorkers safe and my office will not hesitate to hold any business that violates that law accountable."

Businesses that illegally sell or distribute realistic-looking toy guns in New York can be fined up to $1,000 per violation. As a result of this settlement, Walmart must pay $16,000 in penalties and fees and also agreed to ensure that all its third-party sellers are unable to sell imitation toy guns to New York residents.

Announcing the settlement, James also urged consumers who see realistic-looking guns sold in stores or online with shipping to New York to contact her office by filing an online complaint.