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NEW YORK, NY (WNY News Now) – The state’s top prosecutor is cracking down on online ammunition sellers who are “illegally” shipping ammunition to New York residents and failing to keep records of these sales.
An investigation by Attorney General Letitia James’s Office found that 39 ammunition sellers have been shipping ammunition directly to New York residents in violation of New York’s SAFE Act, which prohibits direct online sales of ammunition to New York residents.
AG James sent cease and desist orders to these sellers, demanding that they stop shipping ammunition directly to New York and warned them of serious legal consequences if they continue to violate New York’s law.
“Shipping bullets to New Yorkers’ doorsteps is illegal and ammunition sellers that ignore the law will face the full force of my office,” said Attorney General James in a statement. “Online sales of ammunition are dangerous and could end up in the wrong hands. We are taking action to protect communities and enforce our responsible gun laws. Ammunition sellers must stop illegally bringing ammo into New York. My office will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the safety of everyday New Yorkers.”
New York’s SAFE Act requires all ammunition sales to be conducted in person between a licensed firearms dealer or registered seller of ammunition and a customer.
The law also requires ammunition sellers to create and maintain a record of every ammunition transaction in New York that includes the age, occupation, and residence of any person buying ammunition.
Direct shipments of ammunition and a failure to keep records of ammunition sales in New York violates the SAFE Act and New York’s consumer protection statutes.
Online ammunition sales are unsafe and illegal because sellers circumvent legal requirements that are intended to protect New Yorkers.
James warned sellers that such violations could carry penalties of up to $5,000 for each individual violation and may subject them to disgorgement of all income resulting from these illegal sales.
In addition, Attorney General James demanded that the sellers take every necessary step to preserve all physical and electronic records related to these sales.
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