On Thursday, a federal judge barred 10 companies from selling certain weapon components in New York City while the state pursues a lawsuit seeking to end sales of illegal, untraceable “shadow weapons.”
The preliminary order issued by District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan adopts an agreement reached between New York Attorney General Letitia James and the companies last month, according to court records.
“Today’s court order will help protect New York communities and save the lives of New Yorkers,” Ms. James said in a statement.
The defendants are Arm or Ally, Rainier Arms, 80P Builder, Rock Slide USA, Indie Guns, Brownells, 80 Percent Arms, Glockstore, KM Tactical and Primary Arms. Lawyers for those companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mr. James’ office sued the companies last June. New York City timely announced its own lawsuit against five of those companies.
The lawsuits claim that the companies are creating a public nuisance by selling firearm frames and receivers to consumers without serial numbers. The parts can be used to make “ghost weapons”, including by people who are not allowed to buy weapons.
The two lawsuits were filed six days after the United States Supreme Court struck down a century-old New York law that strictly limited the carrying of firearms outside the home.
Three defendants reached an agreement with the city of New York, agreeing not to sell any more weapons there.
