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Walmart Is Paying $500,000 in a Settlement for Allegedly Selling an Illegal Item on Its Website "The settlement we have reached with Walmart makes crystal clear that online retailers are responsible for what they are allowing to be offered for sale," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Scott Olson | Getty Images
Walmart will pay half a million dollars in civil penalties for allegedly selling brass knuckles on its website.

Big-box retailer Walmart will pay half-million-dollars in civil penalties after allegations that it illegally sold brass knuckles to consumers in California through its website.

An investigation carried out by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) in partnership with the District Attorney's Offices of Merced, Ventura, and Yolo Counties found nearly 250 products that could be classified as "brass knuckles" on the retailer's website — 60% of which were sold directly through Walmart and 40% through third-party sellers.

Brass knuckles are metal guards placed over one's knuckles and are considered dangerous weapons in most states — they're illegal in 21 states (including California), allowed with a permit in 17. In the remaining 12 states, law either does not specify if brass knuckles are illegal or they are legal under certain conditions — for example, in South Carolina they are legal, but not permitted in schools or hospitals, and in Texas, they are legal to possess for self-defense purposes.

Related: Walmart Has Allegedly Been Dumping Hazardous Waste and Confidential Customer Information

"Illegal weapons have no place in California," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "The settlement we have reached with Walmart makes crystal clear that online retailers are responsible for what they are allowing to be offered for sale in our state."

Walmart will pay $500,000 in the settlement as well as be prohibited from selling illegal weapons on its website, in its store, and through third parties.

Related: Walmart Pulls Crude T-Shirt From Its Stores. 'This Was Not Intentional.'

"We are committed to being the most trusted retailer," the company said in a statement to Entrepreneur. "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."

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

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