Pro-Second Amendment groups are requesting a federal judge to issue an injunction against Maryland’s ban on Glock pistols. This came shortly after Democratic Governor Wes Moore signed a law in May that could prohibit the sale of these firearms. As a result, several pro-Second Amendment organizations announced their plans to challenge the legislation, asserting that it’s unconstitutional. Their response in the U.S. District Court for Maryland has been filed by the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). They argue there’s no historical precedent for banning firearms just because they can be modified illegally.
“The Glock-style handguns targeted by this ban, as the State itself acknowledges, are not considered dangerous or unusual weapons,” reads the document. “They are just typical semiautomatic handguns that, if modified illegally, could potentially be changed into machine guns. However, there hasn’t been a history of restricting common arms due to their potential misuse or modification. Likewise, there’s no record of prohibiting the sale of firearms that people are constitutionally allowed to own.”
According to current federal law, possessing or making a fully-automatic firearm that is not registered under the National Firearms Act is illegal. Violations can lead to significant penalties, including up to ten years in prison and hefty fines totaling $250,000.
Glock pistols rank among the most commonly sold firearms in the U.S., frequently topping sales lists from various outlets. For instance, the Glock 19X achieved over 100,000 sales within six months of its launch, as noted in a 2018 company press release.
Besides their popularity with civilians, many law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have utilized Glock pistols for years, issuing them to agents since 1997. It’s also interesting to note that former Vice President Kamala Harris has mentioned owning a Glock for her personal security on several occasions.
