Chicago Drops Glock Lawsuit

Back in March, we reported that the City of Chicago was suing Glock over the infamous “Glock Switches.” Never mind that Glock doesn’t manufacture those devices, which are more correctly called “auto sears.” In case you don’t know, auto sears are parts that allow semi-automatic firearms to function as machine guns, firing multiple rounds with a single trigger press.

Chicago didn’t sue Glock for making auto sears. They sued because Glock manufactures guns for which criminals have devised an illegal alteration, namely the “Glock Switch.” Auto sears are regulated under the National Firearms Act as being necessary parts for machine guns, so they are indeed illegal. Correctly made auto sears can provide full-auto capability to just about any semi-auto firearm.

But Glock is the undisputed industry leader for semi-auto handguns. Glock’s ubiquity makes them the natural choice for cheap, illegal auto sears, usually made in China and exported to the United States. Glock’s simple, effective design also makes their products susceptible to criminal alteration.

A Strange Lawsuit

Glock is also among gun control advocates’ leading bogeymen. This prompted Chicago, supported by the equally ardent Everytown for Gun Safety, to sue Glock because the company refuses to change their design parameters. Everytown President John Feinblatt trumpeted his organization’s support on X:

You really can’t make this stuff up.

A few days later, thirteen Attorney’s General, led by New Jersey’s Matthew Platkin, joined the suit. Platkin spoke for the other AGs, saying “The City of Chicago’s lawsuit claims that your choices constitute violations of multiple sections of the Municipal Code of Chicago, including through the unreasonable sale and marketing of firearms and unfair business practices; the creation of, maintenance of, and contribution to an ongoing public nuisance; and negligence. If the City’s factual allegations are true, your conduct may also involve violations of our States’ laws. We will not hesitate to enforce our laws when they are violated.”

But can you really sue a business because criminals illegally alter their products? It seemed we were about to find out. But then something happened. Chicago quietly dropped the lawsuit, asking for “voluntary dismissal of this case without prejudice.” That was it. No reason was given. Federal Judge Steven C. Seeger granted the dismissal, and that was it.

More to Come?

But Everytown says something different. The group issued a press release the next day claiming that Chicago was expanding the suit, with no further explanation. According to the Firearms Policy Coalition, Chicago, and by extension Everytown, fears pursuing the case in a federal court. Given the recent rulings regarding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and guns, that may be true. If so, and if Everytown is to be believed, Chicago will pursue the case in a likely friendlier Illinois state court. But Everytown’s propaganda is world-class, so we should take their pronouncement with the proverbial grain of salt.

Either way, this is a big deal. Chicago seems to think it’s on shaky Constitutional ground. Everytown, on the other hand, has never cared about Constitutionality. I’ve thought from the beginning that this suit is primarily aimed at costing Glock millions of dollars in legal fees. It’s a common tactic among gun controllers these days. Especially those funded by Mike Bloomberg’s billions, as is Everytown.

We’ll keep out eye on this and update you accordingly.

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