A California appeals court has reinstated a now-retired paralyzed Los Angeles police officer’s product liability lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock.
Enrique Chavez was paralyzed from the waist down when his 3-year-old son accidentally shot him with his service pistol.
The lawsuit claims the .45-caliber Glock 21 pistol lacks adequate safeguards against accidental discharge.
The Glock has no grip safety, a device attached to the pistol grip that the shooter must deactivate before firing.
A Los Angeles judge dismissed the suit two years ago, saying a Police Department review of the gun’s design found the Glock’s advantages outweighed any inherent risks.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported the 2nd District Court of Appeals on Tuesday reinstated the suit, saying a jury could conclude that a grip safety strong enough to withstand a child’s grasp would minimize the risk of accidental discharge.
Topics Lawsuits California
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