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

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.

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.

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.

GLOCK Inc. Moves to Dismiss Chicago Lawsuit over ‘Glock Switch’

25 Years & 1 PLCAA Later, Chicago is Still Harassing Innocent Gunmakers

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA): Why Are Anti-Gunners so Desperate to Repeal it?

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Monkey Mouse

There could be a very easy solution to this – Glock should refuse to sell, service, or warranty any weapons, parts, or accessories to the police at any level within those states. If other manufacturers follow suit as part of a boycott, then they will be SOL on getting weapons for their forces. Also, any weapons sent to Glock by police in these state for warranty or upgrades should be confiscated.

Tionico

Sounds nice and nasty, BUT…
The US Constitution’s Interstate Commerce clause would clearly be violated. Thus a NONO .

How’s about these whinging weepy gun restriction clowns learn how to READ, and then sit down and READ the US Constitution.
The courts should dismiss with prejudice and award punitive monetary settlements, and consider debarring the law breaking attorneys bringing these suits. MakemPay and these clownshows would disappear over the horizon.

Iceman57

SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED, that’s says it all. Instead of going after a lawful business, go after the criminals causing all the damage, go and sue China for the manufacturing of these switches. It’s always the law abiding citizens taking the brunt of the socialist agenda

Norm

Yes! Issue a safety recall since these are so dangerous in any hands.

musicman44mag

Gee, I seem to remember the federal government getting involved with safety about cars. The American Motors AMX was considered to be too powerful for the road so they made them put a smaller engine in it and that killed it. Look what we have now, cars that are stock that can do over 200 mph. If they are able to make Glock redesign the gun so switches cannot be used they would still not be happy because they would still be selling weapons. They can go ahead and try and do what they did to American Motors but someone… Read more »

Darkman

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. nuff said.

Norm

I had a ’69 AMX (in ’69) with the 390 inch engine. Other engine sizes were 290 and 343. Never found an occasion where it was too powerful. A set of headers and an aluminum intake manifold helped. In ’70 or ’71 the engine sizes went up to 301, 360 and 401 cubic inches. Then the two seat AMX was dropped and the four seat Javelin took over the AMX nameplate, still with the larger engine sizes. Later on, the name went to a Gremlin derived car. That was just goofy. After that AMC just stopped making any V-8. Then… Read more »

Bigfootbob

I seem to remember that George Romney, the father of the evil spawn Mittens was CEO of American Motors at one time.

musicman44mag

Humm!!!!

Boz

ANY attack on 2A is treason and tyranny. Recall how that worked out for King George.

CBW

They gonna sue the vax creators for genocide? Didn’t think so

Foco Rigido

It’s assured that nothing good comes from MN AG Ellison. Horrible human being. Was instrumental in railroading 4 innocent Mpls.LEO’s into prison for the death of Felonious Floyd. Ellison is akin to NYC DA Alvin Bragg on the scum-scale.

Montana454Casull

I am not a Glock fan but it’s not up to me to tell others what means of protection they choose to carry for self defense and Glock does not manufacture the illegal switches so New Jersey and Minnesota can pound sand .

Silver Creek

The law enforcement agencies say Glock switches have increased use by criminals. So if they confiscated 3, and then confiscated 9, then it went up by 300 %! You never really hear of how many bla k gang bangers are using the Glock switches. Gun banning groups claim every gang member in America has one. How would they know this information? Do they know a lot of gang members? Are their relatives gang members? Another article said that the gun banning groups ” claimed” switches are now being made for all semi auto handguns. And that anyone can put- install… Read more »

Oldman

About 5 years or so ago, I watched Hickok45’s son John fire one. i saw no use for them then, or now. They cannot be controlled one handed, at all, and barely with two. They are legal to own if you pay the tax and follow the NFA laws. For self defense purposes they are useless, IMO. Take a Glock 17, pull the trigger, and there goes 17 rounds. It would be super hard to stop the pistol from firing all the rounds at once with it galloping around in your hands. Useless, I say, and the waste of a… Read more »