Major retailer Walmart will then pay half a million dollars in civil penalties accusations that it had illegally sold brass knuckles to consumers in California through its website.
An investigation conducted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) in cooperation with the district attorney’s offices of Merced, Ventura and Yolo Counties found that the retailer’s website allowed nearly 250 products to be classified as “brass knuckles” – 60% of which were purchased directly through Walmart and 40% sold through third parties.
Brass knuckles are metal guards that fit over the knuckles and are considered dangerous weapons in most states – and they are illegal Allowed in 21 states (including California), in 17 states with permission. In the remaining 12 states, the law either doesn’t specify whether brass knuckles are illegal, or they are legal under certain conditions — for example, in South Carolina they are legal but not allowed in schools and hospitals, and in Texas possession is for self-defense purposes legal.
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“Illegal guns have no place in California,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “The settlement we reached with Walmart makes it clear that online retailers are responsible for what they offer for sale in our state.”
Walmart will pay $500,000 as part of the settlement and is prohibited from selling illegal guns on its website, in its store and through third parties.
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“We strive to be the most trusted retailer,” the company said in a statement entrepreneur. “While we believe our policies and procedures comply with California law and do not allow for liability or wrongdoing, we believe this agreement is in the best interests of all parties.”
