States Launch Lawsuit, Challenge Gun Manufacturer Over Pistol Design

Lawsuit paperwork with glasses, pen, and an open book.

Minnesota and New Jersey are suing gun manufacturer Glock, alleging that its pistols’ convertibility into machine guns poses significant public safety risks.

At a Glance

Minnesota and New Jersey have filed lawsuits against Glock for allegedly allowing their pistols to be converted into illegal machine guns.
The lawsuits claim Glock’s pistols can be easily modified with inexpensive devices known as “switches.”
The suits argue that Glock’s marketing promotes its pistols as customizable, encouraging illegal modifications.
Authorities assert that Glock has ignored requests to modify the designs despite being aware of safety risks since the 1980s.

Allegations Against Glock

Minnesota and New Jersey attorneys general have taken legal action against Glock, accusing the company of allowing its 9 mm semiautomatic pistols to be converted into machine guns with inexpensive, easily accessible conversion devices known as “switches.” These components enable the altered firearms to discharge up to 1,200 rounds per minute. The lawsuits assert that Glock has been aware of this vulnerability for decades but has taken no preventive measures.

Amid a substantial rise in gun crimes, the states argue that such conversions have fueled violent incidents, particularly during the pandemic, posing dire threats to public safety. The attorneys general of Minnesota and New Jersey suggest that these risks are compounded by Glock’s marketing, which portrays its pistols as customizable, potentially encouraging illegal modifications.

Impact of Illegal Modifications

Conversion devices—and Glock’s alleged lack of preventative measures—are central arguments in the lawsuits. Often emblazoned with Glock’s logo, these devices may mislead consumers into believing they are legitimate. This enables users, including criminals, to easily convert semiautomatic handguns into automatic weapons, intensifying the risk to both community members and law enforcement officers.

“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

Over recent years, law enforcement agencies have documented surges in Glock-related offenses. As the lawsuits illuminate, the seizure of machine gun conversion parts spiked by over 570% between 2017 and 2021, underlining the urgent public safety concerns that necessitated these legal actions.

Moving the Legal Needle

Beyond holding Glock accountable, this legal strategy forms part of a broader push within the firearms litigation arena. Minnesota’s and New Jersey’s actions echo successful tobacco and opioid industry lawsuits that resulted in significant settlements. While federal law generally shields gun manufacturers from liability, local legislatures are now exploring state legal frameworks to pursue such cases against gunmakers.

The lawsuits seek comprehensive legal remedies, including court orders for Glock to forfeit profits from allegedly illicit sales, pay restitution, and modify its firearm designs to enhance safety. As this legal battle unfolds, it could set vital precedents concerning firearms accountability and industry responsibility.