'It’s about time': NJ sues manufacturer over gun industry practices

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) –  New Jersey has one of the strongest gun laws in the nation and is now setting its sights on gun manufacturers to curb gun violence.  

In the words of the state's Attorney General Matthew Platkin, “We’re not going to allow a company based in Austria to turn America into a war zone.”

That was the opening salvo by New Jersey's top lawmaker as he announced the nation’s largest lawsuit against the gun industry.  

Surrounded by members of the law enforcement community, he first unveiled the wraps of a 16-state coalition of Attorney Generals to help curb the nation's gun violence epidemic. 

Platkin explained, “The coalition is the first of its kind in the nation, and it aims to reduce gun violence through coordinated enforcement of each state's civil protection laws and authorities.”

 The coalition, which includes Connecticut, California, Michigan, and Colorado, says it’s committed to combatting irresponsible business practices by gun manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that allow guns to fall into the hands of those who harm others.

“This is about fighting bad actors who care more about the profits they make from their products than the kids killed by their products,” Platkin said. 

The state has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Glock handguns, one of the most popular weapons sold in the Garden State. The suit alleges multiple violations.

They stem from Glock's design and sale of pistols that can be easily switched to illegal machine guns with just one small piece of plastic called a Glock switch. 

“In our lawsuit, we demand Glock suspend sales of its switchable guns to New Jersey civilians,” According to Platnick. 

Mothers who formed an anti-gun advocacy group after the Sandy Hook shooting applauded the latest move to deal with the problem. 

Jeanne Stifelman, a survivor of gun violence, said, “I’m thrilled that we are finally going after the gun industry like we’ve gone after other industries that have done harm and have caused violent epidemics in our country. It’s about time.”

Speakers stressed that their action was not about curtailing lawful gun ownership but about protecting communities from irresponsible business practices that contribute to the unsafe proliferation of guns that often end up in mass shootings.