Walmart fined for shipping realistic toy guns to New York, violating state law

Following a judgment against former U.S. President Donald Trump, New York Attorney General Letitia James addressed the media, announcing a ruling that requires Trump to pay $354.9 million and prohibits him from conducting business in New York State for three years. The press conference took place in Manhattan, New York City on February 16, 2024.

Walmart has agreed to a settlement where they will pay a nominal fine and ensure that their third-party sellers do not offer realistic-looking toy guns to buyers in New York. This agreement comes after an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office revealed that Walmart’s online store had shipped such toys to the state. The investigation found that Walmart had allowed at least nine realistic toy guns to be sold by third-party sellers to various locations in New York.

The 2015 order stemmed from a national concern over lifelike toy guns following the tragic shooting of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy in Cleveland. New York law prohibits the sale or shipment of toy guns resembling real firearms, specifically those in black, dark blue, silver, or aluminum colors. Retailers violating this law face fines of $1,000 per offense, as highlighted by the Attorney General’s office.

Attorney General James emphasized the danger posed by realistic toy guns and Walmart’s failure to prevent their sale in New York, stating that such actions put communities at risk. As part of the settlement, Walmart is required to pay penalties and fees totaling $16,000 and enforce measures to ensure compliance with New York laws regarding toy guns. Walmart, while not admitting to any wrongdoing, expressed their commitment to following all regulations and preventing the sale of prohibited items on their platform.