NY AG Announces Settlement with Gun Accessory Maker Over Buffalo Shooting

Mean Arms to stop selling device used to bypass assault weapon ban, pay $1.7M to victims

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a major settlement with gun accessory manufacturer Mean Arms over the deadly 2022 shooting at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo. Mean Arms made and sold the MA Lock device that allowed the shooter to use an illegal assault weapon in the attack. Under the settlement, Mean Arms will permanently stop selling the MA Lock in New York and pay $1.7 million in restitution to the victims' families, injured individuals, and traumatized survivors.

Why it matters

The settlement holds Mean Arms accountable for enabling the Buffalo shooter to carry out the racially-motivated attack that killed 10 and injured 3 others. It also provides financial support to the victims and their families, and removes the dangerous MA Lock device from circulation in New York.

The details

The Buffalo shooter, Payton Gendron, used an illegal assault weapon in the attack that he was able to modify with Mean Arms' MA Lock device to comply with New York's assault weapon ban. The MA Lock was easily removable, allowing Gendron to bypass the law. As part of the settlement, Mean Arms will permanently stop selling the MA Lock in New York and pay $1.7 million in restitution.

  • The deadly shooting at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo occurred in 2022.
  • The settlement between the New York Attorney General's Office and Mean Arms was announced on February 16, 2026.

The players

Letitia James

New York Attorney General who announced the settlement with Mean Arms.

Payton Gendron

The shooter who carried out the deadly attack at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo in 2022, using an illegal assault weapon modified with Mean Arms' MA Lock device.

Mean Arms

The gun accessory manufacturer that made and sold the MA Lock device, which allowed the Buffalo shooter to bypass New York's assault weapon ban.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must hold accountable those who enable such senseless acts of violence and provide support to the victims and their families.”

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

What’s next

The settlement requires Mean Arms to permanently stop selling the MA Lock device in New York. The $1.7 million in restitution will be distributed to the victims' families, injured individuals, and traumatized survivors.

The takeaway

This settlement highlights the importance of regulating gun accessories that can be used to circumvent existing laws and enable deadly attacks. It provides some measure of justice and support for the victims of the Buffalo shooting, while also removing a dangerous product from circulation in New York.