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New York State Attorney General Letitia James has issued a warning to businesses and online retailers against selling realistic-looking toy guns, especially as Halloween approaches. The warning comes as part of an effort to prevent these toys from being mistaken for real weapons, which could potentially escalate dangerous situations.
New York law prohibits the sale of toy guns that are black, dark blue, silver, or aluminum-colored. Instead, toy guns sold in the state must be brightly colored, entirely transparent, or made with translucent materials. This law, which went into effect in November 2022, aims to minimize safety risks to the public.
"Realistic-looking toy guns have led to tragedies in our communities, and that is why they are banned in New York," said Attorney General James. "Retailers selling realistic-looking toy guns as part of a costume are not making Halloween fun; they are violating the law."
Retailers found in violation of this law may face fines of up to $1,000 per instance. Attorney General James is encouraging consumers who encounter realistic-looking toy guns, either in stores or available for shipping to New York, to report these instances by filing an online complaint with her office.