A controversial gun control bill that could effectively ban the sale of America’s most popular handgun, the Glock, is making rapid progress in California’s legislature. As first reported by Veronica Catlin of FOX40 News, Assembly Bill 1127 passed the California State Assembly with a 58-17 vote, moving one step closer to becoming law. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), targets semi-automatic handguns that can be “easily converted” into automatic weapons. While the bill never mentions Glock by name, it was written with pistols like the Glock in mind.
What AB 1127 Aims to Do
According to Catlin’s article, Gabriel presented AB 1127 as a “common-sense” measure meant to curb the rise of converted firearms used in mass shootings. His concern centers on “Glock switches,” small illegal devices that can turn a semi-automatic Glock into a fully automatic machine pistol in seconds. “Automatic weapons are exceptionally lethal,” Gabriel said during a committee hearing. “This legislation ensures that the gun industry is held accountable.” But critics argue that AB 1127 is more than a safety measure – it’s a direct attack on law-abiding gun owners.
William Warns of What’s Really Happening
In a detailed breakdown on his Copper Jacket TV YouTube channel, host William said the bill’s broad language originally gave California the power to ban nearly all semi-automatic pistols. “Anything that could be converted with simple tools was fair game,” he warned. That included nearly every common handgun used for self-defense. The public response was swift: emails, phone calls, and social media backlash flooded the Capitol. While lawmakers did respond with amendments, William says the revised bill is still “very bad.”
Amendments Narrow the Target – but Still Hit Glocks
William explained that recent amendments added specific language to focus the bill on pistols with a “cruciform trigger bar” – a design found in Glocks and Glock-style clones. “That includes the entire Glock family and brands like Shadow Systems,” he said. Shadow Systems, which recently jumped through hoops to get listed on California’s handgun roster, could now be banned again just months later. In effect, the amendment turned AB 1127 from a broad handgun ban into a targeted strike against Glocks.
Glock: A Target for Political Symbolism
Even though the Glock isn’t named in the bill, it’s become the centerpiece of the debate. As Catlin reports, a 2022 mass shooting near the California State Capitol reportedly involved a converted Glock. That event was cited by supporters of AB 1127 as a reason for stricter laws. But critics say it’s unfair to penalize millions of law-abiding gun owners because criminals misuse devices that are already federally banned. The Glock has become a symbol of freedom for gun owners and of danger for gun control advocates.
Gun Rights Groups Respond With Alarm
Gun Owners of California and the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) were quick to speak out. Catlin notes that both groups labeled AB 1127 as “a blatant attack” on the right to self-defense. NAGR warned on social media, “California is pushing rapidly towards a total ban of Glock pistols.” In their view, this bill is not about public safety – it’s about eliminating access to the most common self-defense firearm in the country under the guise of preventing crime.
California’s Gun Control Playbook Is Well Known
William warned viewers that California often acts as a testing ground for new forms of gun control. “If it sticks in California, it spreads to other blue states,” he said. That’s why AB 1127 isn’t just a local issue. If passed, it could inspire similar legislation in places like New York, New Jersey, or Illinois. “There’s a lot on the line here,” William emphasized. He urged viewers across the country to stay informed and get involved, because what happens in California rarely stays there.
How the Vote Broke Down
The bill passed the Assembly along party lines: every Democrat voted yes (with two absent), and every Republican voted no (also with two absent). That brought the total vote to 58-17, according to Catlin’s reporting. The next stop is the State Senate, where the Democratic supermajority makes further passage likely. As William noted, the bill landed in the Senate Rules Committee on June 4, just one day after passing the Assembly. With summer recess coming soon, lawmakers are expected to fast-track the bill to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
What Happens If It Becomes Law?
If signed, the law would likely remove many popular pistols, including several already on the state’s limited handgun roster, from sale. That means new buyers in California would no longer be able to legally purchase a Glock or a compatible clone. William called this “a regulatory end-run around the Constitution.” He added that while lawsuits are inevitable, they won’t stop the law from being enforced in the short term. “This is how California does it,” he said. “They pass unconstitutional laws, then wait for years of litigation while enforcing them the whole time.”
Will the Courts Intervene?
Legal challenges are a given. But as William pointed out, cases in California often get bogged down in the liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has historically sided with the state on gun control matters. “It takes forever,” he said. Even if courts eventually strike down the law, the damage will already be done. Buyers will have been blocked, gun shops will have lost revenue, and manufacturers will be discouraged from trying to comply with California’s moving goalposts.
More Than Just a Gun Ban
What makes AB 1127 especially concerning is how it weaponizes language. It doesn’t ban Glocks outright – it just bans firearms that share a specific mechanical feature. But the effect is the same. California lawmakers have learned how to restrict rights without saying so openly. William put it best: “They justify it a thousand different ways. But we all know what it’s about.” And he’s right. This isn’t about switches – it’s about restricting access to firearms one feature at a time.
The Slippery Slope Continues
As California races toward another sweeping restriction, the rest of the country should pay close attention. Whether you own a Glock or not, the strategy behind AB 1127 could be copied and pasted into legislation elsewhere. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s likely to pass. And unless courts step in, Californians could soon lose access to one of the most widely used pistols in the world – not through a direct ban, but by redefining what’s “legal” one mechanism at a time.
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.