New Jersey & Minnesota Sue GLOCK INC in Latest State-Level Assault on Gun Rights

Glock’s firearms are wreaking havoc across the country — and they know it.

You can see the devastation caused by these homemade machine guns here: pic.twitter.com/zNZELYTRi6

— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) December 12, 2024

TRENTON, NJ / MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In a coordinated legal offensive, the Attorneys General of New Jersey and Minnesota filed lawsuits against GLOCK, INC and its Austrian parent company, Glock Ges.m.b.H., alleging that the company knowingly designs and sells handguns easily modified into fully automatic firearms using illegal aftermarket devices known as “Glock switches.”  These lawsuits are part of a broader effort by Democratic-led states and Bloomberg-backed gun control groups to circumvent federal legal protections for firearm manufacturers and target gunmakers at the state level.

The legal action has reignited debates around Second Amendment rights, public safety, and the evolving tactics of gun control advocates.

What’s at Stake?

At the heart of these lawsuits are GLOCK, INC’s popular semi-automatic pistols, which the plaintiffs claim are easily converted into illegal machine guns with the addition of a small, inexpensive, and widely available external device called a “Glock switch.” These devices are predominantly manufactured in China or created with 3D printers, and their sale and possession are already illegal under federal law.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison allege that GLOCK, INC has long been aware of its pistols’ “switchability” and has failed to take adequate steps to redesign its firearms to prevent such modifications. “GLOCK, INC’s ownership sits in Austria lining their pockets with profits paid for by American bloodshed fueled by their products,” Platkin declared during a press conference.

BREAKING: I just sued Glock to put the homemade machine gun industry out of business.

The days of an Austrian company putting profits ahead of the safety of American residents and law enforcement officers are over. pic.twitter.com/ExRlzZUM1M

— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) December 12, 2024

The lawsuits demand that GLOCK, INC suspend sales of its firearms to civilians in their respective states, redesign its pistols to prevent modification and pay restitution for alleged damages caused by the criminal misuse of these weapons.

GLOCK, INC Responds

While GLOCK, INC has not publicly commented on the lawsuits, the company’s attorneys have previously argued in similar cases that such legal actions are baseless and designed to financially cripple firearm manufacturers rather than address criminal misuse of firearms. The lawsuits, they contend, misuse “public nuisance” laws to target a lawful and heavily regulated industry.

GLOCK, INC is protected by the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which shields gun manufacturers from liability for crimes committed by third parties using their products. Critics of these lawsuits, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), have labeled the actions as politically motivated and an “abuse of the courts to advance unconstitutional gun controls.”

Know Your Enemy: Bloomberg-Backed Gun Control Groups

Behind the scenes, the Biden Administration, along with groups like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety, both heavily funded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg, have played a pivotal role in shaping and supporting these lawsuits. With the national push for gun control stymied by strong public opposition and a pro-Second Amendment majority in Congress, these organizations have shifted their focus to state-level actions and litigation.

The lawsuits echo strategies previously employed in the tobacco and opioid industries, aiming to hold manufacturers accountable for the downstream effects of their products. Gun rights advocates argue this approach unfairly targets lawful industries while ignoring the root causes of gun violence.

National Context & Public Sentiment

These lawsuits come at a time when public support for gun control has waned, particularly following President Donald J. Trump’s landslide reelection win, which marked a significant victory for Second Amendment advocates. With the Biden administration’s last days in office winding down, anti-gun groups’ chances of passing a new federal gun control agenda are effectively “dead in the water,” as a result, state-level litigation has become a primary tool for gun control advocates.

However, the public’s appetite for new gun laws is questionable. Surveys indicate growing skepticism toward the effectiveness of additional gun control laws, particularly those perceived as punishing law-abiding gun owners and manufacturers rather than addressing criminal activity.

Legal Precedents & Challenges

The lawsuits against GLOCK, INC draw comparisons to recent legal actions against Remington, which settled a lawsuit with families of Sandy Hook victims for $73 million in 2022. However, the Remington case relied on state consumer protection laws, while the GLOCK, INC lawsuits hinge on broader claims of “public nuisance” and product liability.

Critics point out that these claims stretch legal precedent.

“You cannot hold Chevrolet responsible for drunk drivers, and you shouldn’t hold GLOCK, INC accountable for criminals who illegally modify their firearms,” said one commentator.

Impact on Law Enforcement & Public Safety

Ironically, GLOCK, INC pistols are widely used by law enforcement agencies across the United States, including in New Jersey and Minnesota. The firearms are valued for their reliability and durability, qualities that have made them the standard-issue sidearm for countless police departments. Critics argue that forcing GLOCK, INC to redesign its pistols could compromise their effectiveness and safety, ultimately harming law enforcement officers.

Proponents of the lawsuits counter that the proliferation of “switched” GLOCK, INC pistols poses a growing threat to public safety. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), seizures of illegal machine gun conversion devices have increased by 570% from 2017 to 2021.

Live Inventory Price Checker

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	Glock 17 Gen4 MOS 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds - Fullsize	Sportsman's Warehouse	$ 619.99
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They Hate Your Liberty

The lawsuits filed by New Jersey and Minnesota against GLOCK, INC represent a new front in the battle over gun rights and gun control in America. While gun control advocates see these legal actions as a “necessary” step to curb gun violence, Second Amendment supporters view them as an existential threat to the firearms industry and individual liberties.

As the cases proceed through the courts, they are likely to set significant legal precedents—not just for gun manufacturers but for the broader debate over corporate accountability and constitutional rights in the United States.

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