New York Secures $1.75 Million for Buffalo Shooting Survivors

Attorney General Letitia James reaches settlement with gun company over illegal rifle conversion device.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a $1.75 million settlement with Georgia-based arms company Mean Arms LLC. The settlement agreement will stop the sale of Mean Arms' MA Lock device, which converts assault weapons illegal in New York into rifles that don't accept detachable magazines. The funds will go towards supporting survivors and families of those killed in the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting.

Why it matters

The Buffalo mass shooting was a tragic event that highlighted the need for stronger gun regulations and accountability measures for firearms manufacturers. This settlement represents an important step in providing support for victims and restricting the sale of devices that can circumvent assault weapon bans.

The details

Under the terms of the settlement, Mean Arms will remove any marketing claims about the legality of the MA Lock device in New York and cease its sale in the state. The $1.75 million in funds secured by the Attorney General's office will go directly to survivors of the Buffalo shooting and families of those killed.

  • The Buffalo mass shooting occurred in 2022.
  • The settlement agreement was reached on February 11, 2026.

The players

Letitia James

The Democratic Attorney General of New York who negotiated the settlement with Mean Arms.

Mean Arms LLC

A Georgia-based arms company that manufactured the MA Lock device, which was banned from sale in New York under the settlement.

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What they’re saying

“We must hold gun manufacturers accountable and ensure that dangerous devices cannot be sold that undermine our laws and put lives at risk.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General (New York Times)

What’s next

The settlement agreement must still be approved by the New York Supreme Court before the $1.75 million in funds can be distributed to victims and their families.

The takeaway

This settlement represents an important victory in the ongoing effort to restrict the sale of devices that can circumvent assault weapon bans and provide support to communities impacted by gun violence.