NEW YORK — Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with retail giant Walmart after an investigation revealed the company shipped multiple realistic-looking toy guns to New York, violating state law. Walmart will pay $16,000 in penalties and fees and must take corrective action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), third-party sellers on Walmart’s online marketplace sold imitation toy guns that closely resembled real firearms — in black, dark blue, silver, or aluminum — which are banned under New York law. Walmart’s own fulfillment services then shipped at least nine of these illegal items to addresses across the state, including New York City, Westchester, and Western New York.
“Realistic-looking toy guns can put communities in serious danger and that is why they are banned in New York,” said Attorney General James. “Walmart failed to prevent its third-party sellers from selling these products to New York addresses, violating our laws and putting people at risk.”
New York’s General Business Law prohibits the sale or shipment of toy guns that appear too realistic. Legal toy guns in the state must be made in bright colors or constructed from transparent or translucent materials to avoid confusion with actual firearms. Violations can carry penalties of up to $1,000 per illegal sale.
As part of the settlement, Walmart must:
Pay $14,000 in penalties and $2,000 in fees to the State of New York.
Ensure third-party sellers on its platform are blocked from selling or shipping realistic-looking toy guns to New York addresses. Strengthen internal compliance mechanisms to prevent future violations.
The OAG confirmed the violation during its investigation by successfully purchasing a toy gun from Walmart.com and having it shipped to a New York location.
Consumers who encounter imitation firearms being sold in stores or online with New York shipping options are encouraged to report violations to the Attorney General’s office by filing an online complaint.
This case was handled by a team from the Division of Regional Affairs, including Assistant Attorney General in Charge Andy Aujla, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ben Bruce, and Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Martin, along with support from the Research and Analytics Department and the Investigations Division.
Attorney General James reaffirmed her office’s commitment to public safety, stating, “My office will not hesitate to hold any business accountable when they fail to comply with laws designed to protect New Yorkers.”
