Date: July 16, 2004
Attorney General: Tom Reilly
Issuing Office: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Tom Reilly has learned that gun dealers recently began selling Glock handguns to Massachusetts consumers, after the company represented that the handguns were in compliance with the Attorney General's Handgun Sales Regulations.
AG Reilly's Office has notified Glock, Inc. that the "extractor indicator" device which the company recently added to its handguns is not an effective load indicator and, therefore, does not comply with the handgun regulations. The AG's Office reached this determination after consulting with firearms experts.
In response, Glock has recalled all handguns shipped to dealers and distributors in the Commonwealth and ceased in-state sales.
Handguns currently manufactured by Glock lack a load indicator or magazine safety disconnect, in violation of the handgun regulations (940 CMR 16.05(3)). Therefore, handgun dealers may not sell newly manufactured Glock handguns to Massachusetts consumers.
Glock has instructed Massachusetts distributors and dealers to return all handguns. AG Reilly encourages all distributors and dealers to cooperate with Glock in this endeavor.
As always, the handgun regulations do not pertain to firearms used by law enforcement or military personnel as part of their official duties.
Glock has asked Massachusetts consumers who recently purchased handguns to return them for a full refund. Because the handguns lack an important device designed to promote the safety of gun owners and their families, AG Reilly encourages consumers to return these handguns.
The Attorney General's Handgun Sales Regulations fall under the state's consumer protection law and protect consumers and their families from unsafe handguns. The regulations require all handguns sold in Massachusetts to include certain safety and child-proofing measures and safety warnings.
The regulations require that all semi-automatic handguns contain either a magazine disconnect or a load indicator. The Glock handguns contain neither of these features.
The Attorney General's handgun regulations are intended to protect responsible gun owners and their families from firearms that are unsafe by design or manufacture.