Walmart Inc. (WMT) Fined for Letting Third-Party Sellers Ship Realistic Toy Guns to New York

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has agreed to pay $16,000 in penalties and fees after an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed the retail giant shipped realistic-looking toy guns to addresses in New York, violating state law.

The probe found that third-party sellers on WMT’s online marketplace sold and shipped at least nine imitation guns, colored black, dark blue, silver, or aluminum, to New York City, Westchester County, and Western New York, despite a state ban on such items.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Fined for Letting Third-Party Sellers Ship Realistic Toy Guns to New York

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New York law requires toy guns to be brightly colored or made from transparent materials to prevent confusion with real firearms, with violators facing $1,000 fines per incident. Between March 2020 and November 2023, at least 46 illegal imitation weapons were purchased through Walmart.com by New York consumers. Under the settlement, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) must ensure its third-party sellers cannot offer or ship banned toy guns to New York and must terminate sellers who violate the law three times.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) did not admit or deny the investigation’s findings but stated it is committed to compliance. James emphasized that realistic-looking toy guns endanger communities and vowed to hold violators accountable.

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