State AGs Sue Glock Over Potential for Dangerous Modification

A coalition of state attorneys general are suing the weapon manufacturer Glock. In the lawsuit, the states are demanding that Glock immediately pull certain switchable firearms from the market due to serious concerns about public safety. Glock is a global company headquartered in Austria. The company is well-known for their semi-automatic pistols, which are often used by law enforcement in the U.S. and Europe.
'Glock Switches'
Glock sells certain semi-automatic pistols that can be easily modified using an “auto sear” device. This is an illegal, quarter-sized component that works so well with Glocks it is more often called a “Glock Switch.” The device enables an otherwise legal semi-automatic pistol to discharge up to 1,200 rounds per minute. This makes the gun substantially more lethal than its original design. In comparison, a bump stock-modified semi-automatic can fire 400 to 800 rounds per minute. Most fully automatic weapons issue up to about 950 rounds per minute.
Glock switches are made out of plastic or metal and are usually illegally imported or made from 3D printers. Glock does not manufacture the device.
The Lawsuit Against Glock
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the lawsuit. They argue that Glock has long known about the ease with which their pistols can be modified into illegal firearms, but have done nothing about it because Glock Switches increase sales.
In a demonstration by Attorney General Platkin's Office and for the purpose of highlighting the dangers of the Glock Switch, the New Jersey AG's office released a video showing a law enforcement officer using the firearm with the modification and without it, starkly illustrating the difference in firing capability.
Without the Glock Switch, the law enforcement officer had to pause in between shots because of how the gun is manufactured. However, the video shows what happens after installing the Glock Switch, which allows for uninterrupted and rapid firing of the weapon. It also decreases accuracy, further endangering bystanders.
Madison School Shooting
On December 17th, 2024, a student at a Christian School in Madison Wisconsin opened fire at the school, killing a teacher, a student and herself. At least 6 more students were injured. This marks the 83rd school shooting in 2024, surpassing 2023's record-setting number.
As authorities investigate the shooting and search for a motive, state governments and gun control advocates are again left wondering how to prevent such tragedies. The student apparently used an unmodified handgun, but the details and source of the weapon remain under investigation. State (and federal) law already prohibits anyone under 18 from owning a handgun, with certain exceptions, such as when target shooting with a parent.
Some Pledges for Stricter Gun Control
The lawsuit against Glock specifically targets illegally modified fully automatic weapons. However, it can be seen as a broader effort by some states to curb gun violence, particularly after this latest shooting in Wisconsin. Increasingly, prosecutors seem to be targeting the parents of school shooters to reduce mass shootings, while states are pursuing legal action against gun manufacturers.
Related Reading:
- State Gun Control Laws (Findlaw's Learn About the Law)
- What Shows Up in a Gun Background Check? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Is Charging Parents the New Strategy for Combating School Violence? (FindLaw's Courtside)