Philadelphia Sues Glock in Latest Attempt to Blame Manufacturers for Crime

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Court Building

Officials in Philadelphia have filed a lawsuit against Glock Inc., accusing the company of contributing to violent crime by allegedly promoting the illegal modification of its handguns. The lawsuit was filed jointly by the City of Philadelphia and Larry Krasner, with legal support from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Hausfeld law firm.

City officials claim Glock’s marketing practices mislead consumers and contribute to the proliferation of illegal conversion devices known as “switches” or “auto sears,” which can illegally convert a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic firearm.

What the Lawsuit Claims

According to the complaint, Glock has engaged in deceptive marketing practices by promoting its firearms as easy to modify and by allegedly failing to adequately warn consumers about the illegality of conversion devices.

City officials argue that these devices—often referred to as “Glock switches”—have become more common in criminal activity and that the manufacturer bears responsibility for the harm caused by their misuse.

Philadelphia is seeking civil penalties, damages, and the creation of an abatement fund to address what it describes as the impact of gun violence in the city. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker defended the lawsuit, claiming it is necessary to hold manufacturers accountable for how their products are used.

District Attorney Krasner (D)

District Attorney Krasner also argued that the availability of illegal conversion devices has made some firearms more dangerous and that Glock should do more to discourage their use.

What Are “Glock Switches”?

So-called “switches,” also known as auto sears, are small illegal conversion devices that can be attached to certain firearms. Once installed, these devices can override the firearm’s internal mechanism and allow it to fire continuously with a single pull of the trigger, effectively converting a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic firearm.

Under federal law, these devices are already classified as machine guns and are illegal for civilians to possess. In other words, the devices themselves—not the firearm manufacturer—are already prohibited.

A Familiar Legal Strategy

Glock 17 Gen 4 with an Illegal Glock Switch

This lawsuit follows a growing trend among anti-gun jurisdictions attempting to hold firearm manufacturers responsible for criminal misuse of their products.

For decades, courts have generally rejected these types of lawsuits, which led Congress to pass the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The law was designed to prevent firearm manufacturers from being sued for crimes committed by third parties using legally sold products.

Critics of the Philadelphia lawsuit argue it represents another attempt to work around those protections through creative legal theories involving marketing claims. Supporters of the firearms industry note that Glock does not manufacture or sell illegal conversion devices and that the criminal misuse of firearms remains the responsibility of the individuals who commit those crimes.

The Larger Debate

The case highlights an ongoing national debate over whether firearm manufacturers should be held liable for crimes committed with their products. Gun-control advocates argue that companies should take greater responsibility for how their firearms are marketed and used. Second Amendment advocates counter that blaming manufacturers for criminal behavior is no different than blaming automakers for drunk driving or knife manufacturers for stabbings.

At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe accountability should remain where it belongs—with criminals who break the law. Illegal conversion devices are already banned under federal law, and individuals who possess or use them face serious criminal penalties.

Efforts to shift blame onto firearm manufacturers do little to address the root causes of violent crime and instead risk undermining lawful firearm ownership and the broader firearms industry.

As this lawsuit moves forward, it will likely become another major test of how far courts will allow municipalities to go in attempting to hold gun manufacturers responsible for criminal misuse of their products.

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