California Lawmaker Seeks to Ban Glock Handgun Rather Than Going After Criminals

A California bill to ban the sale of handguns that can be converted from semi-automatic to automatic is scheduled to be heard soon in the crucial Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Assembly Bill 1127, authored by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), would specifically prohibit a licensed firearms dealer to sell, offer for sale, exchange, give, transfer, or deliver any semiautomatic machinegun-convertible pistol. The bill would define “machinegun-convertible pistol” as any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar that can be readily converted by hand or with common household tools into a machinegun by the installation or attachment of a pistol converter, or any device or instrument that, when installed in or attached to the rear of the slide of a semiautomatic pistol, replaces the backplate and interferes with the trigger mechanism and thereby enables the pistol to shoot automatically more than one shot by a single function of the trigger. 

AB 1127 would also make a violation of these provisions punishable by a fine, a 2nd violation punishable by a fine that may result in a suspension or revocation of the dealer’s license and removal from certain centralized lists maintained by the Department of Justice, and a 3rd violation punishable as a misdemeanor that shall result in the revocation of the dealer’s license and removal from certain centralized lists.

Assemblyman Gabriel wrote the bill to help reduce the number of mass shootings and shooting incidents. Specifically, he noted that some handguns, like Glocks, could be easily converted to fully automatic usage, thus necessitating the increased ban on handguns.

“AB 1127 is a common-sense bill to hold the firearm industry accountable for their failure to prevent conversion of their guns to dangerous automatic weapons,” said Assemblyman Gabriel. “The firearm industry has known for decades about a vulnerability in some designs rendering them readily convertible into automatic weapons. This bill is focused on the industry’s lack of action to prevent conversion and will ensure we are doing everything we possibly can to protect our communities from mass shootings.”

Gun control groups, who are in support of the bill, further pointed out that Glocks and similar weapons altered to fire automatically have been used in many high profile shootings, including the 2022 K Street shooting in Sacramento.

“No novice should be able to convert their pistol into a DIY machine gun with just a 3D printer and a screwdriver within minutes,” added Everytown for Gun Safety senior firearms analyst Greg Lickenbrock. “Modified pistols equipped with Glock switches are exceptionally deadly weapons that have become a weapon of choice for criminals and are increasingly turning up at crime scenes in California and across the country. Glock and other copycat companies must take action to ensure their pistols are not so easily susceptible to these devices.” 

However, opponents of AB 1127 have said that the bill would only take away weapons that have conversely saved lives through civilian and police use, as well as chipping away at the Second Amendment by removing more types of guns that can legally be sold in California. Others also pointed out that focus should be on going after criminals themselves rather than gun owners and dealers.

“Once again ASM Gabriel leads a cast of anti Second Amendment advocates in banning the most popular handgun in the country for personal protection,” said California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) Legislative Director Rick Travis to the Globe Wednesday. “In the name of public safety ASM Gabriel seeks to ban the very firearm that has saved thousands of lives by seeking to ban something that is already a felony in the status quo. Don’t be fooled, he is seeking to ban one firearm at a time to dismantle our constitutional rights. When will we ever see ASM Gabriel go after the criminals instead of law abiding citizens?”

“What the state of California needs to do is they need to focus on the criminal element, increasing the punishments for the misuse of any firearms or modifying any gun into a configuration,” added Gun Owners of California President Sam Paredes. ”The bill will only criminalize lawful gun dealers and owners. It is a ban, because anyone else in the future who wants to purchase a Glock will not be allowed to do so without committing an egregious crime.”

While opposition has been strong, lawmakers, so far, have been deciding on the issue strictly across party lines, ignoring the potential second amendment lawsuits that the passage of AB 1127 could bring. Both of the Assembly Committee votes last month proved to be highly polarized, with the Assembly Judiciary Committee vote coming to a 9-2 vote with one abstention, split between Republicans and Democrats.

However, as the bill moves up this month, there may be some roadblocks ahead. The more finicky Senate could pose a challenge to the bill, as could growing worry that courts could stop AB 1127 once it is law because of it being unconstitutional. Other firearms bills by Assemblyman Gabriel are currently stuck in the courts over constitutionality issues.

“You may recall Asm. Gabriel as the author of the 11% excise tax that CRPA is challenging in court as you read this,” said the CRPA earlier this month. “Clearly, he’s undaunted by the fact that his bills don’t pass constitutional muster.”

AB 1127 is currently scheduled to be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee later this month.