Walmart agreed to pay $500,000 in fines and costs for selling brass knuckles on its website.
The deal was reached with the Department of Justice in California, where brass knuckles are illegal. Investigators said they found 250 items on Walmart’s website that qualify as such weapons. The majority of brass knuckles for sale were buyable from the enormous retailer directly. Third party retailers were responsible for 40% of those weapons for sale.
California prosecutors said Tuesday their fight to take weapons off the streets isn’t over.
“While Walmart was particularly cooperative in this case and has done their best to remove the illegal weapons from their websites, there are others who have not done so, and they need to know we’re coming for them,” said Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold.
In 2015, Walmart stepped up efforts to limit the proliferation of firearms by taking semi-automatic guns and ammunition for them off store shelves. The retailer also stopped selling guns to teenagers in 2018. In 2020, Walmart temporarily stopped selling guns altogether amid civil unrest leading up to the presidential election.
The investigation into Walmart’s dealings began in 2018. Tuesday’s settlement includes $250,000 in civil penalties to be divided between the Department of Justice and California’s district attorney.
Walmart said in a statement to the Us.Mistertruth that it was satisfied with its arrangement with the Golden State.
“We are committed to being the most trusted retailer,” they wrote. “While we believe our policies and procedures comply with California law and admit no liability or wrongdoing, we believe this agreement is in the best interest of all parties.”
Brass knuckles, whether made from metal or plastic, are also illegal in New York.