Op-Ed: Commentary: End sales of handguns that convert easily to 'DIY machine guns'

Zellnor Myrie and Michaelle Solages

Originally published in Times Union on .
A 3D-printed "Glock switch" is seen in Houston in 2022. The device can convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun.

Until manufacturers take reasonable steps to prevent their guns from being illegally converted, the guns shouldn't be sold in New York.


In recent years, Glock handguns have stood out among others for one very specific — and lethal — reason: their design. Glock handguns can easily be converted into a machine gun with the quick installation of an auto sear that costs only about $25.

 

It seems hard to fathom, but with a screwdriver and a “Glock switch” — that’s what they’re commonly called — anyone can turn a handgun into a machine gun that can fire as fast as, or faster than, many fully automatic firearms used by the U.S. military. These types of auto sears are called Glock switches – even though Glock doesn’t make them – for the simple reason that Glock makes their handguns so easy to convert.

 

Glock switches have been linked to criminal activity in cities across New York — in Poughkeepsie, Buffalo, Rochester, Troy and New York City, among others.

In 2021, state lawmakers passed the nation’s first-of-its-kind law to hold gun manufacturers accountable when their reckless practices harm New Yorkers. Last year, the law was amended to  require that firearm manufacturers take steps to ensure their handguns cannot be easily turned into machine guns with Glock switches. The law makes clear that if they don’t take such steps, the manufacturers can be held accountable in court by those affected by modified weapons.

Despite this, Glock has failed to address the lethality of the design of its handguns. In the face of the company’s continued inaction, it’s time to end the sale of these DIY machine guns in New York.

 

Our legislation (S.399/A.199) would prohibit the future sale or manufacture of any handguns that, like Glocks, are especially easy to convert into machine guns simply by installing a Glock switch. Unless and until Glock and other manufacturers address this dangerous problem, they won’t be welcome to sell their easily convertible guns in our state.

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