What's happened
New Jersey and Minnesota attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Glock, alleging the company knowingly sells handguns that can be easily modified into automatic weapons. This legal action is part of a broader coalition of states aiming to reduce gun violence through consumer protection laws.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Post, the lawsuits claim Glock has been aware of the risks associated with its products for decades but has failed to act. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin emphasized that Glock's handguns can be converted into military-grade weapons with minimal effort, stating, 'For decades, Glock has knowingly sold weapons that anyone with a screwdriver and a YouTube video can convert.' Meanwhile, the Associated Press highlighted the coalition's formation as a response to perceived federal inaction on gun control, with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison asserting that 'Glock has known about this problem for decades and has done nothing.' This reflects a growing frustration among state officials regarding gun violence and the need for accountability in the firearms industry.
How we got here
The lawsuits arise from concerns that Glock handguns can be modified with inexpensive switches to fire at rates comparable to machine guns. This issue has gained attention amid rising gun violence and calls for stricter regulations.
More on these topics
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New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware River and Pennsylvania;
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The Glock is a series of polymer-framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H.
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Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and northern regions of the United States. Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd U.S. state on May 11, 1858, created from the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory.
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Everytown for Gun Safety is an American nonprofit organization which advocates for gun control and against gun violence. Everytown was created in 2013 when Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America joined forces.
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Birmingham is a city in the north central region of the U.S. state of Alabama. With an estimated 2019 population of 209,403, it is the most populous city in Alabama.
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Keith Maurice Ellison is an American politician and lawyer who is the 30th and current Attorney General of Minnesota. Ellison was the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2019. He also served as the titular Deputy Ch