Attorneys General in New Jersey and Minnesota have filed lawsuits in state courts in their respective states against Glock, Inc and Glock Ges.m.b.H., alleging the firearms manufacturer knowingly produces, distributes and sells semi-automatic pistols which can be “easily” converted to fire fully automatically with the installation of an illegal device generically known as a “Glock switch.”
While there was no immediate reaction from Glock, the National Shooting Sports Foundation quickly issued a scathing response, accusing both states of coordinating “lawfare” against Glock, in concert with 13 other states and the District of Columbia.
“This is clearly an abuse of the courts to attempt to circumvent the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA),” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel in a prepared statement. “Attorneys General Platkin and Ellison, along with the other colluding states, are attempting to extend the frivolous claims that have no foundation in law and abuse taxpayer dollars to advance an unconstitutional gun control agenda. These claims are a devious manipulation of the courts by attempting to force a gun control agenda through judicial fiat and are contrary to the will of lawmakers and are expressly prohibited by federal law. This is the very definition of ‘lawfare’ and should be rejected by the courts.”
NSSF is the firearm industry trade association.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin filed his complaint in New Jersey Superior Court’s Chancery Division, according to a press release from his office.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed his complaint in Hennepin County District Court, in the Fourth Judicial District, according to the announcement by his office.
In his announcement, Attorney General Platkin asserted, “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. Glock’s ownership sits in Austria lining their pockets with profits paid for by American bloodshed fueled by their products — and we are sick of it. Our message today to Glock is clear: the days of putting greed ahead of the safety of our residents and law enforcement officers are over.”
Likewise, Ellison issued a statement in which he declared, “I am suing Glock for knowingly manufacturing and selling handguns that can easily be converted into machine guns. Glock’s actions, and their inaction, violate Minnesota law, and put kids, communities and law enforcement in danger. This has to stop. Today’s lawsuit against Glock is about protecting our kids and protecting the guardians who look out for us.”
However, NSSF contends the devices are called “autosears,” and that they are “illegal to make, import, possess and attach to a firearm or use without compliance with the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA).”
“Attorneys General Platkin and Ellison and the other colluding states ignore the fact that these devices aren’t produced by GLOCK, Inc., or any other firearm manufacturer,” the NSSF statement details. “In fact, they are largely illegally imported from China or illegally manufactured by criminals. GLOCK, Inc., has actively cooperated with federal, state and local law enforcement to combat this illegal activity.”
The Associated Press is reporting that the actions, “by mostly Democrat-led states amount to early pushback against President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration, which Platkin, a Democrat, said ‘routinely sides with the gun industry.’”
Platkin’s lawsuit acknowledges “Glock switch manufacturers often print the Glock logo on their switches, often leading customers to believe that they are Glock products and mail them to Glock for repair.”
However, Platkin asserts “That logo has been Glock’s registered trademark since 1986, but Glock has taken no steps to dissociate itself from the switches bearing its brand.”
Platkin’s news release also notes that the Garden State “has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, including the firearms industry public safety law that Governor Phil Murphy signed into law in 2022.”
Still, with those strict gun laws in place, criminals are still committing violent crimes.
Ellison’s news release from Minnesota revealed, “Attorneys with the GIFFORDS Law Center serve as Special Assistant Attorneys General to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in its litigation against Glock.”
This is not the first time Glock or other firearms manufacturers have been sued in an effort to make them responsible for the misuse of their products by third parties over whom they have no control. Nearly 20 years ago, Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) which protects firearms manufacturers from such legal actions, which are generically called “junk lawsuits” designed to bankrupt gun makers.
Glock pistols are among the most popular sidearms in the U.S. They are used by countless law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local levels. They are also popular among private citizens for personal and home defense.
