In Detroit, a device known as a switch glock is a nightmare for police. It attaches to a Glock pistol and interferes with its internal trigger mechanism, turning it into an automatic weapon that can fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute. “It’s a real concern, and it’s a major problem for us,” says Detroit Police Commander Ryan Connor. He says criminals can get the devices online or even make them at home using a 3D printer.
Across the country, police are finding more of these switches at crime scenes. And that’s prompting a growing number of states and cities to take action against gun maker Glock, accusing it of neglecting to prevent such modifications. Lawsuits filed by the City of Chicago, Maryland and New Jersey allege that Glock has long known about the problem but refused to redesign its pistols.
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The company argues that it should not be held responsible for illegal modifications made by third parties. And some lawmakers agree. A bill in California would prohibit Glock from selling guns that can be easily modified with machine gun conversion devices. The bill has stalled in committee, but it could still pass before the state legislature adjourns for the year. Similar proposals are pending in Maryland and New York.
The devices are often called “Glock switches” although they aren’t made by the gunmaker. They’re small, about the size of a quarter, and can turn semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic weapons that can fire as long as the trigger is depressed. A growing number of states, including New Mexico and Illinois, have banned the devices, which are also called auto sears.
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