Seattle has filed a lawsuit against Glock Inc. and three local gun retailers, alleging that the company’s handguns can be easily converted into illegal machine guns using devices known as “Glock switches.” The suit was filed in King County Superior Court against Glock Inc., its Austrian parent company, and Seattle-area Glock-authorized retailers Pantel Tactical, Bull’s Eye Indoor Range, LLC, and Rainier Arms, LLC.
According to the city’s September 2 news release, the civil complaint claims Glock knowingly manufactures, markets, and sells semi-automatic handguns that can be modified with a “Glock switch” to fire at rates comparable to machine guns. City Attorney Ann Davison stated: “The Glock switch puts the public at risk, it puts children and families at risk, and it puts our law enforcement personnel and first responders at risk. Glock knowingly manufactures a gun that can very easily be converted into an automatic weapon. I will hold corporations putting public safety at risk as accountable as the criminals who violate our state and city laws.”
Davison is asking the court to require Glock to alter its products so they cannot be easily converted for automatic fire. She said: “Unlike its competitors, who choose to use different, safer standards, Glock chooses to prioritize profits over public safety. I’m bringing this litigation because of the massive increase in gun violence caused by converted Glocks. By using this civil remedy – and continuing to use criminal prosecution community-wide – we will fight gun violence both upstream and downstream.”
The complaint argues that distribution of Glock firearms within Washington State has led to their conversion for criminal activity, resulting in harm to Seattle.
Devices known as “Glock switches” are illegal under federal law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives classifies these switches as machine guns under federal statutes such as the National Firearms Act (NFA). Under this act, non-licensed civilians are generally prohibited from possessing machine guns—defined as weapons capable of firing more than one round per trigger pull without manual reloading.
Federal legislation known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) prohibits civil liability actions against firearms manufacturers or dealers when their products are misused by others.
William Kirk, a Seattle attorney who operates the Washington Gun Law YouTube channel, told KOMO News he believes the lawsuit is unlikely to succeed. He said: “The problem is not the gun manufacturer; the problem is not the lawful and responsible gun owners. The problem is the people who are committing the criminal acts.”
Seattle joins other cities such as Baltimore and Chicago in seeking legal remedies against firearm manufacturers related to gun violence.
