The Philadelphia and Larry Krasner, the city’s district attorney, have filed a lawsuit against Glock Inc., alleging the company’s handguns can be too easily modified with illegal conversion devices known as “switches” that turn semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons.
City officials say the lawsuit claims Glock’s firearm design and marketing practices have contributed to the ongoing gun violence crisis in Philadelphia. According to the complaint, the small conversion devices — often called “Glock switches” — can allow a handgun to fire continuously with a single trigger pull, effectively turning it into an illegal machine gun.
Prosecutors and city leaders say these conversion devices have increasingly appeared at crime scenes in recent years, raising concerns among law enforcement about the dangers posed by fully automatic gunfire in densely populated urban areas.
The lawsuit alleges the manufacturer failed to take sufficient steps to prevent the modification of its pistols and did not adequately warn consumers about the risks and illegality of using the devices.
City officials say they are seeking civil penalties and court orders that could force Glock to change certain business practices. The legal filing also asks for financial relief to help address the impact of gun violence on Philadelphia communities.
Philadelphia joins several other jurisdictions across the United States that have pursued legal action against Glock over similar concerns involving illegal firearm conversion devices.
The case is expected to move through the court system in the coming months as the city attempts to hold the manufacturer accountable for what it calls a growing public safety threat.
