Gun Accessory Firm Settles for $1.75M with Buffalo Shooting Victims
The gun accessory company, Mean Arms, has reached a settlement of $1.75 million with victims and survivors of the Buffalo shooting that occurred in May 2022. This financial agreement is part of a lawsuit initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James and addresses claims from affected families and individuals.
Details of the Settlement
Under the terms of the settlement, Mean Arms will cease the sale of a specific gun accessory in New York. The device in question is designed to lock a magazine onto a rifle. It was intended to prevent users from replacing low-capacity magazines with high-capacity ones, which are illegal in the state.
Events Leading to the Settlement
- The shooting at Tops Friendly Market resulted in the tragic deaths of ten Black individuals.
- Payton Gendron, the shooter, easily removed the lock from his AR-15-style rifle, allowing him to use high-capacity magazines.
- Attorney General James noted that the manufacturer provided instructions on removing the lock, contributing to the violence.
“Holding this manufacturer accountable offers some measure of comfort to the people of Buffalo,” said James during a news conference.
Background on the Buffalo Shooting
On the day of the attack, Gendron targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood, leading to significant community trauma. Victims ranged from a 32-year-old shopper to an 86-year-old grandmother. The impact of the shooting extended beyond those killed, affecting numerous families and the local community.
Legal Actions Against Other Parties
In addition to the settlement with Mean Arms, attorney representatives for the victims have reached separate agreements with both Payton Gendron’s family and Vintage Firearms LLC. Vintage Firearms has permanently closed its operations, and its owner has committed to not seeking a federal firearms license in the future.
Gendron currently serves a life sentence without parole after pleading guilty to multiple charges. He faces additional federal charges related to hate crimes and weapons offenses, with the Justice Department indicating that it will pursue the death penalty.
The resolution of these cases marks a crucial step for many affected families, offering a glimmer of hope for healing in the aftermath of tragedy.
