By: Richard L. Smith
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with Attorneys General from ten states and the District of Columbia, has issued a stern directive to Glock, Inc., urging the preservation of all evidence concerning its pistols.
This action comes in response to allegations that Glock firearms can be readily converted into illegal machine guns with minimal modification.
The move by the states follows a lawsuit by the City of Chicago, claiming Glock has long been aware that its handguns could be transformed into machine guns using a so-called "Glock switch," a device that significantly increases the firearm's firing rate.
Chicago's lawsuit, filed on March 19, accuses Glock of knowingly designing handguns that facilitate this dangerous modification without making any substantial design changes to prevent it.
The city is seeking an injunction to halt the sale of these modifiable pistols to civilians in Chicago and to implement stringent controls to avert their illegal modification and use.
Attorney General Platkin expressed grave concerns over the allegations, emphasizing the shocking frequency with which law enforcement agencies are recovering modified weapons.
He pointed out the inherent danger in allowing such easy conversion of pistols into machine guns, which can fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute, likening it to the firing capability of military-grade automatic firearms.
Between 2017 and 2021, more than 5,400 machine-gun conversion devices were seized, marking a 570% increase from the previous five years.
This rise shows the urgent public safety concern posed by these modifications. SAFE Director Ravi Ramanathan highlighted the severity of the allegations against Glock, stressing the extensive regulation and restriction of machine guns due to their potential for mass casualty.
The collective action by the states signifies a robust stance against Glock's alleged negligence and disregard for public safety.
The states' letter demands Glock preserve documentation related to the design, development, and marketing of their pistols, particularly focusing on their modifiability into automatic weapons.
This includes details on the use of Glock switches in crimes, potential design changes to prevent conversion, and the company's compliance with state and federal laws.
Joining New Jersey in this demand are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
