A Minnesota judge has refused to dismiss a high-stakes lawsuit accusing Glock Inc. and its Austrian parent of knowingly selling handguns that can be too easily converted into machine guns.
The ruling, issued Thursday by state District Court Judge Christian Sande, determined that Glock cannot shield itself under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). While the Second Amendment safeguards ownership and purchase of firearms, the court noted it does not guarantee companies the unfettered right to sell them.
Allegations of Profit Over Public Safety
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison hailed the decision as a breakthrough, accusing Glock of “sacrificing safety for profit.”
“Today’s ruling puts us one step closer to ensuring Glock can no longer flood Minnesota with handguns that can easily be converted into illegal, fully automatic machine guns,” Ellison said.
Minnesota, joined by New Jersey in similar filings, claims Glock knowingly enabled illegal modifications through a cheap device known as a “Glock switch.” Roughly the size of a Lego brick, this add-on can be 3D-printed or purchased for under $20, instantly transforming a pistol into a fully automatic weapon.
