California lawmakers are once again taking bold steps to tighten gun control laws, this time targeting one of the most widely recognized names in firearms: Glock. Assembly Bill 1127 (AB 1127), introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, proposes to ban the sale of semiautomatic pistols that can be easily converted into illegal machine guns, focusing especially on Glock models. The bill responds to what supporters say is a growing epidemic of “DIY machine guns” made possible by the simple addition of a $25 device known as a “Glock switch.”
What is a Glock Switch?
Glock switches are small, illegal devices that convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic weapons. With just a screwdriver and a bit of know-how – or even a 3D printer – people can transform a legal handgun into a weapon that fires up to 1,200 rounds per minute. That’s faster than many military-grade weapons. According to a press release by Moms Demand Action on April 1, 2025, these switches are becoming increasingly common and dangerous, often turning up at crime scenes throughout California. This alarming trend has lawmakers and gun control advocates deeply concerned.
Sacramento’s 2022 Tragedy Still Echoes
The urgency behind AB 1127 is partly rooted in a mass shooting that occurred in Sacramento in 2022. A DIY Glock machine pistol was used in a shootout that left six dead and twelve injured. Over 110 shell casings were recovered at the scene. This horrifying event is still fresh in the minds of many Californians and was heavily cited in a recent press release by Everytown for Gun Safety on April 3, 2025. The bill is being framed as a necessary response to tragedies like these, aiming to stop such weapons from becoming more common.
Law Enforcement Voices Concern
Law enforcement officials across the state have raised alarms about Glock switches. A 2022 NBC 7 San Diego report, also cited by Moms Demand Action, highlighted that even juveniles have been caught with these converted firearms. One quote from a local officer summed up the danger: “Law enforcement is in a very dangerous situation when they come up against these types of firearms.” The ability to unload dozens of rounds in seconds makes these weapons deadly not just for intended targets, but also for bystanders and officers alike.
A Rapid Increase in Device Recoveries
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported recovering more than 31,000 conversion devices nationwide over the past five years. In 2023 alone, 5,816 of these were confiscated, according to Everytown’s data. From 2019 to 2023, the number of recovered Glock switches jumped by an astonishing 784%, a figure that has stunned policymakers and helped push AB 1127 forward. The concern is clear: these devices are spreading fast, and something needs to be done to stop them.
What AB 1127 Actually Does
AB 1127 would ban the sale, transfer, or delivery of any semiautomatic pistol that can be converted into a machine gun using a device like a Glock switch. According to the bill text, a “convertible pistol” includes any firearm that becomes fully automatic solely by attaching such a converter. The law would not apply to current owners or to law enforcement officers, and it does not require anyone to surrender their existing guns, as clarified by both Everytown and Moms Demand Action.
The Glock Question
Glock, the Austrian firearms giant, is at the center of this controversy. Critics say Glock has long known that their pistols are uniquely vulnerable to conversion and has done little to address the issue. While Glock does not manufacture the switches themselves, lawsuits filed by Everytown Law in places like Chicago and Baltimore argue the company should still be held accountable. As stated by Emmy MacRae from Students Demand Action, “Companies like Glock don’t get to skirt the law and get away with it.”
Not Just Glock: Copycat Companies, Too
AB 1127 doesn’t only target Glock. The bill would apply to any firearm manufacturer whose products can be easily converted to automatic. However, Moms Demand Action points out that the vast majority of pistols from companies like Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, and Taurus don’t have this issue. Those firearms would continue to be legal to sell under the proposed law. Advocates argue that Glock and similar companies could fix the design flaw and remain in the California market if they truly wanted to.
A Gun Rights Backlash Emerges
The bill has ignited strong opposition from Second Amendment advocates, especially online. In a recent video by Copper Jacket TV, host William described AB 1127 as a “sneaky and outright ban” on all Glocks in California. He highlighted that the bill doesn’t just ban future sales – it also expands definitions that could lead to broader enforcement. According to William, California is using Glock switches as a “perfect excuse” to ban firearms that lawmakers already dislike. He warned viewers that this bill could pave the way for bans on other common handguns.
A Political Climate Ripe for Passage
With Democrats holding a supermajority in the California legislature, opponents like Copper Jacket TV fear the bill has few obstacles in its path. Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the legislation if it reaches his desk. California’s strong record on gun control – ranked number one in the nation by Everytown – means that AB 1127 is likely to be taken seriously. According to supporters, this is just the latest effort to keep illegal firearms off the streets and reduce gun violence across the state.
A Growing National Trend
California isn’t alone. States like Maryland and New York have introduced similar legislation. Across the country, there’s increasing momentum to regulate or ban pistols that can be modified with conversion devices. The push for accountability from gun manufacturers is growing louder. According to Everytown, Glock switches are part of a broader crisis – one that could be curbed if companies took action to eliminate vulnerabilities in their designs.
Why This Matters: A Closer Look
This whole situation opens a strange window into modern firearm design and legislation. What’s fascinating is how something so small – a $25 plastic switch – can completely alter the conversation about one of the most iconic handguns in America. The idea that you can turn a pistol into a machine gun with a few minutes and a screwdriver feels like science fiction, but it’s real, and it’s happening now. That’s not just a legal concern – it’s a moral and public safety issue.
Where Does It End?
From a broader perspective, what we’re watching unfold in California is a test case for national action. Whether you support gun rights or stricter laws, there’s something deeply important about this debate. On one hand, we can’t ignore the very real tragedies caused by modified Glocks. On the other, sweeping bans based on potential misuse open the door to overreach. As technology advances, lawmakers will face harder questions about how to regulate what people can build, print, and modify at home. AB 1127 is just the beginning.
A Complex Debate
Assembly Bill 1127 has sparked a heated and complex debate. With real violence in California’s recent past, and a surge in illegal conversion devices nationwide, the urgency behind the bill is clear. Yet critics warn that banning Glocks – rather than addressing the devices themselves – goes too far. As California pushes forward, the rest of the country is watching. Will this become a model for firearm regulation, or a cautionary tale about legislative overreach? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the fight over DIY machine guns is far from over.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.