Delaware Sues Glock Over Convertible Handguns

The state alleges the manufacturer designs firearms that are easily modified into illegal machine guns.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Delaware Sues Glock Over Convertible Handguns

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Should firearm manufacturers be held liable for illegal modifications made to their products by users?

Delaware Attorney General Kathleen Jennings has filed a civil lawsuit against Glock, alleging the company designs handguns that are easily converted into illegal machine guns using aftermarket switches. The state argues that Glock ignored warnings regarding these conversions and failed to implement necessary safety measures to prevent them.

Why it matters

The legal action seeks to address a rise in crimes involving modified handguns by restricting civilian sales of these specific firearm models. By targeting the design process, Delaware aims to force changes that prevent handguns from being readily transformed into automatic weapons.

Delaware has filed a civil lawsuit against Glock, seeking both an injunction to restrict civilian sales and unspecified damages. The legal action excludes law enforcement sales from these proposed restrictions.

The players

Kathleen Jennings

Kathleen Jennings is the Attorney General of Delaware and the official who filed the civil lawsuit against the firearm manufacturer.

Glock

Glock is a global firearms manufacturer that is currently the subject of a civil lawsuit regarding the design of its handguns.

The details

The lawsuit claims Glock knowingly continues to sell handguns that can be fitted with devices known as Glock switches, which turn the weapons into illegal machine guns. State officials allege the manufacturer has failed to adopt design changes that would inhibit these modifications.

October 22, 2026: Delaware officially filed the civil lawsuit against Glock.

Legal Context

This case reflects an increasing effort by state authorities to hold manufacturers accountable for how their products circumvent the spirit of the National Firearms Act. It marks a departure from traditional litigation that focused primarily on individual criminal liability.

The lawsuit could lead to significant changes in how handguns are sold within Delaware if the state succeeds in its bid to restrict specific models. Residents may see shifts in local firearm availability and increased regulatory scrutiny of weapon modifications.

The takeaway

This litigation highlights the growing tension between firearm design and public safety concerns regarding illicit modifications. It serves as a reminder of how state-level legal challenges can attempt to reshape the national landscape of consumer protection laws.