The city of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock Inc., accusing the company of contributing to the proliferation of illegal machine guns on the streets. The lawsuit centers on a small device known as a “Glock switch,” which can be easily attached to a Glock pistol, transforming it into a fully automatic weapon capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute.
According to the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Glock knowingly manufactures handguns that can be readily converted into illegal machine guns with these inexpensive and widely available Glock switches. The lawsuit alleges Glock has failed to take any meaningful steps to prevent this dangerous modification, despite being fully aware of the issue.
“Glock switches are a menace to public safety, turning ordinary pistols into military-grade killing machines,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a press conference. “These devices are fueling gun violence in our city, and Glock must be held accountable for their role in this crisis.”
The lawsuit details how Glock switches, often costing as little as $20, can be purchased online or even created using 3D printers. Chicago police data shows that over 1,100 Glock pistols modified with Glock switches have been recovered at crime scenes in the past two years alone. These modified weapons have been linked to homicides, assaults, kidnappings, carjackings, and other violent crimes.
Chicago’s lawsuit argues that Glock’s continued production of easily modifiable handguns constitutes a public nuisance and unfair business practice. The city seeks unspecified damages and a court order requiring Glock to implement design changes that would prevent the use of Glock switches.
Glock has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit. However, the company has faced similar legal challenges in the past, arguing that they cannot be held responsible for the criminal misuse of their products.
This lawsuit comes amid a surge in gun violence in Chicago. The city has recorded a rise in homicides and shootings in recent years, with many of these crimes involving modified Glock pistols. Chicago officials hope that holding Glock accountable will send a message to the gun industry and help curb the flow of illegal machine guns on the streets.pen_spark
