Minnesota and New Jersey sue Glock over alleged ease of converting handguns to illegal machine guns, raising concerns about public safety and manufacturer responsibility.
At a Glance
- Minnesota and New Jersey attorneys general file lawsuits against Glock.
- Lawsuits claim Glock’s pistols can be easily converted to illegal machine guns.
- Significant increase in seizures of machine gun conversion parts reported.
- Glock accused of prioritizing profit over public safety.
- Legal action aims to hold firearms industry accountable for gun violence.
States Take Legal Action Against Glock
Minnesota and New Jersey have launched lawsuits against gun manufacturer Glock, accusing the company of designing its 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol in a way that allows for easy transformation into a machine gun. The attorneys general of both states claim that Glock’s pistols can be readily modified with low-cost auto sear devices, often called “switches,” to become fully automatic weapons.
The lawsuits allege that Glock has been aware of this issue since the 1980s but has not taken action to prevent it. This legal action is part of a broader effort to hold the firearms industry accountable for gun violence, similar to past litigation against tobacco and opioid companies.
Concerns Over Public Safety and Law Enforcement
The ease of conversion has been linked to an upsurge in violence, notably heightened during the pandemic period. Officials argue that this poses significant threats to public safety and those in law enforcement. Data shows a concerning trend: there has been a 570% increase in the seizure of machine gun conversion parts from 2017 to 2021.
“With this lawsuit, we are putting the homemade machine gun industry out of business. For decades, Glock has knowingly sold weapons that anyone with a screwdriver and a YouTube video can convert into a military-grade machine gun in a matter of minutes.” – Matt Platkin
In New Jersey, Glock-related handgun crime increased by 104% from 2020 to 2023, highlighting the growing concern over these easily modified firearms. The lawsuits argue that Glock has prioritized profit over public safety by neglecting to modify its design to prevent illegal conversions.
Legal Strategies and Industry Response
The attorneys general plan to use state civil liability and consumer protection laws to address gun violence. This approach comes as gun manufacturers are generally protected from liability by federal law, prompting states to explore alternative legal avenues.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has criticized the lawsuits as frivolous, noting that the switches are illegal and not manufactured by Glock. However, the lawsuits contend that Glock’s marketing of its pistols as customizable allegedly facilitates illegal modifications.
Potential Implications for the Firearms Industry
This legal action against Glock may signal a new chapter in firearms litigation. A multistate coalition, including 16 states and Washington D.C., is being formed to hold the firearms industry accountable for gun violence. If successful, these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for gun manufacturers and their responsibility for how their products are used after sale.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how courts will balance the rights of gun manufacturers with the pressing need for public safety. The outcome of these lawsuits could potentially reshape the landscape of gun manufacturing and sales in the United States.
Sources:
- Glock Gun Lawsuit: States Want to Bar Sales of Popular Gun
- Two US states sue Glock over machine gun conversion
- Minnesota and New Jersey Sue Glock Over Lethal Add-On for Guns
