Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has initiated legal action against Glock, Inc. and Glock Ges.m.b.H., alleging violations of New Jersey's firearms industry public safety laws. The lawsuit, filed in the Chancery Division of the New Jersey Superior Court, accuses Glock of knowingly manufacturing, selling, and distributing pistols that can be easily modified to function as machine guns using a device known as a "Glock switch."

The suit seeks to halt the sale of these convertible guns through New Jersey dealers and demands restitution for alleged public harm caused by what it describes as Glock's unsafe commercial practices. According to the complaint, a Glock switch is an inexpensive component that can convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute.

"Glock directly benefits from increased sales because the ease with which its weapons may be easily switched to machine gun mode in a matter of minutes makes them more attractive to certain buyers," states Attorney General Platkin.

New Jersey is known for having strict gun laws, including those prohibiting machine guns or devices adaptable for such use. Attorney General Platkin emphasized the danger posed by these modified weapons: "With this lawsuit, we are putting the homemade machine gun industry out of business."

The lawsuit coincides with Minnesota filing similar legal actions against Glock on the same day. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison remarked on his state's involvement: "I am suing Glock for knowingly manufacturing and selling handguns that can easily be converted into machine guns."

Ravi Ramanathan, Director of New Jersey's Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office (SAFE), added that manufacturers like Glock should be held accountable for ensuring their products cannot be easily altered illegally.

The complaint alleges that since at least the 1980s, when founder Gaston Glock demonstrated an early prototype switch, the company has been aware of how its handguns could be modified into machine guns.

Reports from law enforcement indicate a rising trend in crimes involving switched Glocks in New Jersey. These incidents pose increased risks not only to innocent bystanders but also to law enforcement officers and first responders.

The state aims through this lawsuit to stop sales and distribution of switchable handguns in New Jersey civilian markets. SAFE was established by Attorney General Platkin in 2022 as part of efforts under recent gun industry public safety legislation aimed at holding firearms manufacturers accountable.