NOW PLAYING
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday warned California that its “Glock ban” violates the Second Amendment and shared plans to file a federal complaint against the Golden State in court if officials do not cease enforcement of the law.
“Californians have the constitutional right to acquire and use state-of-the-art handguns to protect themselves,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon wrote in a Wednesday letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.).
“They should not be forced to settle for decade-old models of handguns to ensure that they remain safe inside or outside the home,” she added.
Her correspondence follows the passage of California’s Assembly Bill 1127, which will prohibit licensed firearms dealers from selling or transferring any “machinegun-convertible pistol” starting on July 1.
The law also reclassifies Glocks, which are Austrian-engineered semi-automatic pistols, as “machinegun-convertible” because their trigger mechanisms can be quickly modified with illegal, aftermarket conversion devices.
Current owners of these pistols are legally permitted to keep their firearms, and sales to law enforcement agencies or the military are exempt.
Dhillon’s Wednesday letter said she authorized the filing of a complaint in federal district court against California over the ban but said she would consider deferring the filing if state officials enter pre-suit negotiations.
“Although the specific provisions are open to discussion, a resolution must at a minimum require that the State: (1) immediately cease enforcement of the laws identified above; (2) acknowledge the unconstitutionality of these laws; and (3) agree to enter into a court-enforceable consent decree permanently enjoining the State from violating its citizens’ constitutional rights through these or any similar laws,” Dhillon wrote.
DOJ gave California until 5 p.m. Tuesday to agree to a “voluntary resolution.”
Newsom’s office and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the matter.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon California glock ban DOJ Donald Trump Gavin Newsom Rob Bonta Trump administrationCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Administration News
See All
Administration Trump lays out new details on Reflecting Pool ‘vandals’ by Mallory Wilson 12 minutes ago Administration / 12 minutes ago 
