Gun Accessory Maker to Pay $1.75M to Buffalo Shooting Victims

Mean Arms to stop selling device that allowed shooter to use high-capacity magazines.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The maker of a gun accessory tied to the racist 2022 shooting at a Buffalo supermarket that killed 10 Black people has agreed to pay $1.75 million to survivors and victims' families. The company, Mean Arms, will also stop selling the device in New York state. The accessory was meant to prevent the use of high-capacity magazines, but the shooter was able to easily remove it.

Why it matters

The Buffalo shooting was a devastating attack that traumatized the local community. This settlement holds the accessory maker accountable and aims to provide some measure of comfort to the victims' families, while also banning the sale of the problematic device in New York.

The details

According to New York Attorney General Letitia James, the Mean Arms accessory was supposed to lock a magazine onto a rifle and prevent the use of high-capacity magazines, which are illegal in New York. However, the shooter was able to easily remove the lock and add high-capacity magazines, allowing him to inflict massive damage in a short time. The company also provided instructions on how to remove the lock.

  • The 2022 attack at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo occurred.
  • In November 2022, the shooter pleaded guilty to multiple state charges including murder.
  • On February 12, 2026, the settlement with Mean Arms was announced.

The players

Mean Arms

A Georgia-based company that made a gun accessory tied to the Buffalo supermarket shooting.

Letitia James

The New York State Attorney General who filed the lawsuit against Mean Arms.

Payton Gendron

The white shooter who targeted the predominantly Black Tops supermarket in Buffalo, killing 10 people.

Vintage Firearms LLC

A gun seller that reached a separate agreement with victims' families and survivors.

Pamela Pritchett

The mother of victim Pearl Young, a 77-year-old Sunday school teacher who ran a food pantry.

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What they’re saying

“We hope that by holding this manufacturer accountable and banning it from selling this device in New York state, we can offer the people of Buffalo some measure of comfort.”

— Letitia James, New York State Attorney General (wbal.com)

“No one should be able to come into a store and, in two minutes, inflict so much damage to a community, to a family, to children.”

— Pamela Pritchett, Mother of victim Pearl Young (wbal.com)

What’s next

A trial on federal hate crime and weapons counts against the shooter is expected to begin this year.

The takeaway

This settlement holds the accessory maker accountable and aims to provide some comfort to the Buffalo community, while also banning the sale of the problematic device in New York. It highlights the ongoing efforts to address the devastating impact of the racist attack and seek justice for the victims and their families.