New York Attorney General's office sent cease and desist letters to major retailers today, alleging that they continue to sell prohibited toy guns that are too realistic
online.
One Kmart also sold these guns in a Rochester, New York, location, the office alleged. [...]
New York state law prohibits retailers from selling guns in realistic colors unless it has one-inch-wide orange stripe running down both sides of the barrel and the front end of the barrel that cannot be removed. "When toy guns are mistaken for real guns, there can be tragic consequences," Schneiderman said in a release. "New York State law is clear: retailers cannot put children and law enforcement at risk by selling toy guns that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing."
There are
numerous reasons for this kind of law. There's also
this reason. And most recently there is
this reason.
Walmart had this to say in a statement:
"Once this matter was brought to our attention we placed a shipping block on our website to prevent the mentioned items from being sent to the state of New York. We're also confident that measures are in place to prevent these items from being sold at our New York stores."
Of course they were already busted and had to pay a
$200,000 fine back in 2003. My guess is that they are gambling that they can make more on selling illegal toy guns to kids and parents around the Christmas season, than the fine they are going to be slapped on the wrist with.
All of these companies are making amazing amounts of profits, and during Christmas time, they see surges in their online stores. They spend tons of money creating and staffing their online retail space and if you want to sell something in their online retail space you have to make sure you and they agree on territories, timezones and shipping costs. Nothing goes up online without a "where" and a "how" and an "at what price."