Baltimore sues Glock over deadly modifiable weapons
- Maryland and Baltimore officials are suing Glock over the production of handguns that can be easily converted to fully automatic weapons.
- The lawsuit follows a reported increase in gun violence linked to modified firearms, particularly among individuals under 21.
- Officials argue that Glock's design choices have contributed to public safety risks and seek to halt the sale of these weapons in Maryland.
In recent months, Maryland and Baltimore officials initiated a lawsuit against the firearms manufacturer Glock Inc. for producing pistols that can be effortlessly converted into fully automatic weapons through the use of an attachment known as a switch. This lawsuit has arisen amidst rising concerns over gun violence in the state, highlighting how these modifications are increasingly linked to criminal activity, especially among youth in urban areas like Baltimore. In 2023, a significant uptick in recovered switch attachments from crime scenes was reported, amplifying the urgency surrounding this issue. Maryland's Attorney General Anthony Brown and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott have openly criticized Glock for its lack of action to prevent these dangerous modifications, stating that the design choices made by the company have endangered public safety. This litigation follows similar lawsuits in other states, where Glock has been accused of contributing to a culture of violence by allowing its firearms to be easily adapted for high-capacity firing. Legal frameworks, including the Gun Industry Accountability Act, empower the plaintiffs to pursue a court order to halt the sale of such firearms. The plaintiffs argue that these easily convertible handguns are not just a nuisance, but a significant public safety threat that has been emboldening criminal behavior particularly among younger demographics, cited as half of those arrested with modified Glocks being under 21 years old. The city of Baltimore has been making strides in reducing gun violence, which experts attribute to a combination of enhanced anti-violence initiatives and improved policing. However, the growing presence of modified Glock weapons poses a challenge to these gains made in public safety. With the lawsuit seeking not only to prevent further sales of the problematic firearms but also restitution and the establishment of safety measures within the gun industry, Maryland officials are adamantly advocating for stricter regulations. Lawsuits like this reflect broader issues within the firearms industry, raising questions about the balance between profit and public safety. The growing concern regarding modification of firearms highlights significant gaps in existing regulatory frameworks concerning firearm sales and manufacturing, stressing the need for a comprehensive policy reform to protect communities from gun violence.