The City of Chicago accuses Glock of failing to respond to 3D printed Auto Sears
According to city authorities, Glock is knowingly allowing modifications to their pistols, which can be converted into automatic weapons using 3D-printed devices
The City of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against firearm manufacturer Glock, accusing the company of deliberately profiting from the sale of pistols that can be modified with "auto sears." The lawsuit claims that Glock refused to implement design changes that could prevent the use of them. The lawsuit also indicates that Glock pistols, which are easily modifiable, are more popular among criminals in Chicago compared to other brands.
Auto sears are small mechanical devices that can be added to a semi-automatic pistol, converting it into a fully automatic weapon. In practice, this means that when the trigger is pulled, the weapon will fire continuously until the ammunition is depleted or the trigger is released, instead of firing single shots.
Most commonly used in Glock pistols, auto sears are popular among criminals because they allow semi-automatic pistols available on the market to be turned into machine guns. These devices are small, making them difficult for law enforcement to detect.
In recent years, auto sears have become even more accessible due to 3D printing capabilities. The design for the device can be found online and then printed using a 3D printer, making them cheap and easy to obtain. In the U.S., the use and possession of auto sears is illegal, as they convert weapons into fully automatic firearms, which are subject to strict legal regulations.
The rise in crime in Chicago is closely linked to the use of 3D-printed auto sears. From 2021 to 2023, the Chicago police confiscated over 1,100 modified Glock pistols. The increase in such modifications is also noticeable across the United States – from 2020 to 2021, the number of illegally modified machine guns confiscated increased by 400%.
Moreover, many videos on the internet show how easy it is to install auto sears in Glock pistols, contributing to the growing popularity of these weapons on the black market. Chicago is seeking to prevent further sales of these pistols in the city and is demanding compensation for damages, as well as imposing daily fines for each violation of the Municipal Code by Glock.
Jorge Leon, the inventor of the "Fire Selector" system, which is a key component of auto sears for Glock pistols, regrets his invention, which was patented in 1996 and expired in 2016, allowing the design to be freely used for 3D printing. Leon originally created the invention to support military, counterterrorism, and police operations, but now expresses deep regret over its impact on the rise in crime.