The city of Baltimore has taken a significant step in its fight against gun violence by suing the firearm manufacturer Glock. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, highlights design aspects of Glock's handguns that enable them to be easily converted into automatic weapons. City lawyers argue this ease of conversion poses a substantial threat to public safety by allowing criminals the ability to unleash continuous gunfire.
This legal challenge isn't unique to Baltimore. Similar suits have been filed in other jurisdictions such as Chicago, Minnesota, and New Jersey, all targeting Glock for allegedly neglecting public safety. These legal actions center around the use of small conversion devices, often referred to as 'Glock switches' or 'auto sears,' which can modify a semi-automatic Glock to discharge up to 1,200 rounds per minute.
As Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown emphasized during a news conference, such modifications equate the weapon's capabilities to those surpassed even in military-grade firearms. Known colloquially among ATF agents as 'spray and pray,' this method of gunfire results in massacres rather than measured shots, leading to chaos and destruction.
The complaint, filed jointly by Maryland State and Baltimore City, accuses Glock of violating public nuisance laws due to the design of their firearms. Notably, Glock has not publicly responded to this lawsuit or former inquiries from major news agencies about related legal accusations.
The conversion kits for these firearms are troublingly inexpensive and accessible, often available for around $20 or through 3D printing. According to Baltimore officials, the city's streets have seen an alarming increase in crimes involving these modified Glock handguns. In 2024 alone, police have seized 65 altered Glock pistols, many from individuals under the age of 21. Such troubling figures support concerns that the ease of weapon modification has contributed significantly to a culture of violence among the city's youth.
Baltimore, like many U.S. cities, is grappling with the broader consequences of gun violence and is seeking judicial intervention to prevent further harm. Former lawsuits against firearm manufacturers like Polymer80, which agreed to cease untraceable gun sales in Maryland, illustrate a strategic move toward civil litigation to stem gun-related violence.
In recent years, the city has witnessed notable declines in violent crime rates, largely attributed to diligent anti-violence initiatives and strategic policing enhancements. Yet, the city's officials are resolute in leveraging every possible resource, including legal measures, to maintain and advance this progress. Mayor Brandon Scott has reaffirmed Baltimore's commitment to mitigating gun violence by any means necessary.
The lawsuit aims to secure a court order to restrict the sale of certain firearms in Maryland and enforce additional safety protocols. If successful, it could also result in financial restitution, potentially funding public safety and anti-violence programs further.
The Maryland state assembly has recently passed legislation facilitating civil actions against gun manufacturers who fail to uphold safety standards, aiming to close loopholes exploited in firearm design. Such legislative steps, coupled with active lawsuits, symbolize concerted efforts toward reshaping gun policies to preserve public safety in Baltimore and beyond.
As cities across the nation adopt similar platforms against gun manufacturers, the outcomes of such legal battles could set precedents affecting nationwide gun control measures. Baltimore's proactive stance exemplifies the critical role local governments play in influencing broader discussions around firearm safety regulations.