Glock faces lawsuit for creating deadly machine gun loophole

In late December 2023, attorneys general from Minnesota and New Jersey filed lawsuits against the gun manufacturer Glock. The lawsuits accuse Glock of producing handguns that are easily modified into illegal machine guns with a $20 add-on known as a 'Glock switch'. This switch allows Glock pistols to fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute, posing significant risks to public safety. The lawsuits emphasize that Glock has been aware for decades of the modifications that can be easily made to its guns and has not made any design changes to address this issue, which could potentially lead to more violence. These legal actions represent a growing trend among a coalition of Democratic attorneys general from 15 states and the District of Columbia, who are attempting to hold firearm manufacturers accountable for gun violence. The lawsuits argue that the modifications create a public nuisance and violate multiple product liability and consumer protection laws. They seek a variety of remedies, including disgorgement of profits and restitution to the affected parties. Furthermore, the Minnesota lawsuit specifically calls for an injunction from the court that would compel Glock to design safer handguns. The focus of the lawsuits stems from the rising concerns about gun violence, particularly in urban areas like Chicago, where Glock firearms are frequently involved in crimes. Earlier, in 2023, the city of Chicago also filed a lawsuit against Glock after law enforcement recovered over 1,100 modified Glock pistols. This growing trend in litigation against gun manufacturers has started to use state laws in an attempt to circumvent federal protections that often shield these companies from liability. With the legal battles involving Glock and other gun manufacturers escalating, the outcomes of these cases may have lasting implications for gun sales and firearm regulation in the United States. The cases also reflect the ongoing discussions about gun control advocates' efforts to push back against the loosening of gun restrictions following the recent Supreme Court decisions that expanded gun rights. The success of the lawsuits against Glock could pave the way for more stringent regulations and possibly reshape the legal landscape concerning gun safety and accountability in the country.