The Unintended Consequences of Innovation

As a society, we often celebrate innovation and progress without fully considering the potential consequences of our creations. One such example is the story of Jorge Leon, the inventor of the “Glock switch” technology that can turn Glock pistols into fully automatic weapons. Leon, now 59, was granted a U.S. patent for his “fire selector system” in 1996, but he never intended for it to be used for illegal purposes.

Image of a Glock pistol

However, after his patent expired in 2016, unscrupulous developers took his designs and manufactured them for the black market, selling them online for as little as $20. Law enforcement officials say these devices, known as “auto sears” or “Glock switches,” have flooded the streets of American cities, contributing to a surge in gun violence.

“We have to find a way to control this unleashed bad thing,” Leon said. “I regret filing that patent because … my technology, which was very well protected at that time, is free for everybody.”

The Consequences of Unchecked Innovation

The impact of Leon’s invention has been devastating. In numerous shootings this year, police said Glock pistols fitted with auto sears have dramatically increased the number of people killed or injured. The city of Chicago has even filed a lawsuit against Glock Inc., alleging that the company has known about the dangerous workaround for decades and has failed to take meaningful action to address the problem.

Image of Chicago cityscape

Glock Inc. has responded to the lawsuit, arguing that the city’s complaint is barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and that the company is not liable for the actions of criminal third parties. However, Leon believes that the Glock mechanical configuration should be banned until the company comes up with a newly designed weapon.

“The American people don’t deserve this,” Leon said. “They don’t deserve this crime rising because of the full-auto.”

A Call to Action

As I reflect on Leon’s story, I am reminded of the importance of considering the potential consequences of our actions. Innovation is crucial to progress, but it must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility and accountability. We must find a way to balance our desire for progress with our need for safety and security.

Image of a gun violence protest

Leon hopes to speak with American lawmakers soon to explain the problem and come up with a solution. I hope that his story will serve as a wake-up call to all of us, and that we will take action to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.