Seattle Sues Glock Over Illegal ‘Switch’ Mods

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Glock, arguing that the design of its handguns makes them especially vulnerable to illegal modifications known as “Glock Switches.”

City Attorney Ann Davison said the lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, seeks to have Glock handguns declared a “public nuisance” under Washington law.

The city wants Glock and firearms dealers to adopt measures to deter and prevent the conversion of semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons.

According to Davison, Glock’s design makes it “very easy to, within minutes, very cheaply, change their semi-automatic weapon to a fully automatic weapon.”

Police report that in recent years, the use of Glock Switches has more than doubled the number of rounds fired in shootings across the city.

Davison maintains that Seattle has a duty to address the issue at the source, not just punish individuals who attach the illegal devices.

“We must go upstream to where these are designed and put into the market,” she said.

Despite their name, Glock Switches are not produced or endorsed by Glock. They are illegal devices that can be purchased online or even made with 3D printers.

SEE ALSO: Chicago Sues Glock Over Switch Proliferation

Once installed, they allow a handgun to empty a magazine in seconds, turning routine shootings into mass-casualty events.

Gun rights advocates say the city is targeting the wrong party. William Kirk of Washington Gun Law told KOMO News the real problem is not Glock but criminals committing the illegal modifications.

SEE ALSO: NSSF Slams States’ ‘Lawfare’ Campaign Against GLOCK

“The problem is not the gun manufacturers, the problem is not the lawful responsible gun owners. The problem are the people who are committing the criminal acts,” Kirk said.

He also questioned Seattle’s broader approach to policing (“de-policing”), suggesting city policies may have contributed to rising violence more than firearm design.

The case could test whether a court is willing to hold gun makers legally responsible for the illegal use of aftermarket devices. Glock has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.

For now, the legal battle pits Seattle city leaders against one of the most recognizable handgun brands in the world—with the outcome potentially shaping how other cities address the spread of illegal conversion devices.

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