Newsletter 12-16-24
The Subscriber-Only Newsletter for Monday, December 16th...
New Jersey and Minnesota take aim at Glock
Attorneys General in both states have sued Glock, alleging the company negligently enables illegal firearm modifications with “Glock switches” that turn pistols into machine guns. Critics call it an attack on manufacturers for third-party misuse.
Michigan moves to strip gunmaker protections
Proposed legislation seeks to bypass federal laws shielding firearm manufacturers from liability, a move critics say is politically driven and aimed at bankrupting the industry.
Florida pushes to roll back post-Parkland restrictions
Lawmakers aim to repeal measures like the rifle purchase age increase and red flag laws, reigniting debates over gun rights and safety.
3D-printed guns busted with micro-CT scans
British police and scientists used cutting-edge scanning technology to convict a 3D-printed gunsmith, highlighting new hazards for the 3D gun maker.
Pentagon shifts toward AI dominance
Firms like Palantir and Anduril are positioning themselves to rival traditional defense contractors as AI adoption accelerates.
Also:
🔫 Sweden modernizes its military with 15,000 M4A1 carbines
☘️ Israel closes its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions
🪙 Texas proposes a strategic Bitcoin reserve
⛵ MicroStrategy enters the Nasdaq-100
And more…
News Briefs
Glock Sued: "Switches Too Easy" Allege Lefty Attorneys General
In Short: The attorneys general of New Jersey and Minnesota have filed lawsuits against Glock, alleging the company negligently facilitates illegal firearm modifications with "Glock switches" that turn pistols into machine guns, posing public safety threats, while facing criticism from industry groups for targeting manufacturers over third-party modifications.
- On December 12, New Jersey and Minnesota AGs sued Glock, accusing the company of facilitating firearm modifications into illegal machine guns through "Glock switches."
- AGs claim conversion devices, costing as little as $20 or easily 3D-printed, can make Glocks fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute.
- New Jersey's lawsuit seeks to block Glock handgun sales to civilians in the state, citing long-standing knowledge of modification risks.
- Minnesota's lawsuit highlights the 2021 Minneapolis shooting and alleges Glock's negligence contrasts with Minnesota’s consumer laws.
- The NSSF and other 2A groups argue the lawsuits are baseless since Glock does not produce or sell these conversion devices.
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Michigan’s Misguided Attempt to Bankrupt Gunmakers
In Short: Michigan's proposed legislation to remove liability protections for gun manufacturers is a politically motivated effort to bankrupt the firearms industry under the guise of consumer protection, despite federal laws already addressing accountability for defective products or false advertising.
- Michigan Democrats are advancing legislation that seeks to remove liability protections for gun manufacturers, aiming to bypass federal protections under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).
- The PLCAA protects gun companies from lawsuits over the criminal misuse of their products, but it does not shield them from lawsuits involving product defects or false advertising.
- Critics argue the proposed legislation is a "shadow ban" on firearms, designed to bankrupt gun manufacturers through an onslaught of lawsuits, while comparable measures are not applied to other industries such as alcohol or automobile manufacturing.
- Under the proposed law, gunmakers could be sued for "creating a public nuisance" through the lawful marketing or sale of their products, raising concerns about selective legal targeting of the firearms industry.
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Florida Lawmakers Push to Roll Back Post-Parkland Gun Restrictions
In Short: Florida's Republican lawmakers are pushing to repeal several gun restrictions established after the 2018 Parkland school shooting, including the red flag law, raising the age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, and allowing open carry, with critics labeling the efforts as politically motivated and potentially dangerous while their effectiveness remains uncertain.
- Rep. Joel Rudman and Sen. Randy Fine spearhead efforts, asserting a restoration of constitutional freedoms and consistency for 18-year-olds with other responsibilities.
- The legislative session in March will be crucial in deciding if these pro-gun measures advance amid ongoing debate over Second Amendment rights.
Jump to Source:
Kailey Tracy
KATE PAYNEA Look At How Police and Micro-CT Scanning Captured a 3D-Printed Gunsmith
In Short: The collaboration between police and forensic scientists utilizing advanced micro-CT scanning technology was instrumental in uncovering, analyzing, and prosecuting the production of hybrid 3D-printed firearms, highlighting the growing challenges of combating criminal use of accessible manufacturing tools.
- In January 2022, West Midlands police launched Operation Captiva, uncovering hybrid 3D printed firearms, a Creality Ender Pro 3 printer, and over 2,400 firearm-related digital files at David Biddell-Portman’s home.
- Two seized weapons, labeled JRM-02 and JRM-03, combined 3D-printed plastic with metal parts, creating more durable and reliable firearms than fully 3D-printed weapons. JRM-03 was capable of firing 9mm ammunition.
- Advanced micro-CT scanning technology from the University of Warwick allowed investigators to analyze the weapons' internal components and mechanisms without dismantling them, preserving evidence and creating a detailed digital record.
- The forensic evidence, presented in court through 3D animations and scans, was instrumental in escalating charges to manufacturing firearms, leading to Biddell-Portman’s conviction and a five-year prison sentence in June 2023.
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Vanesa Listek
Are AI defense firms about to eat the Pentagon?
In Short: AI-focused tech firms are forming strategic partnerships and gaining influence in the defense sector, positioning themselves to potentially rival traditional defense contractors as the Pentagon accelerates the adoption of AI-driven military technologies.
- Leading AI companies, including Palantir, Anduril, Shield AI, and Oracle, are forming strategic partnerships to develop AI solutions tailored for military applications, signaling a shift in influence from traditional defense contractors to tech firms.
- The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act encourages collaboration between the Pentagon, private tech companies, and academia. Key provisions include expanding high-performance infrastructure for AI and streamlining data-sharing standards.
- Critical partnerships include Palantir and Anduril working on battlefield data integration, Shield AI pairing with Palantir to enhance autonomous systems, and Anduril teaming with Oracle to deliver real-time data analysis for military operations.
- The Pentagon's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) has launched a rapid capabilities cell to accelerate AI adoption, while leadership transitions and evolving governance approaches will shape future strategies.
- Palantir recently surpassed Lockheed Martin in market capitalization, underscoring the growing dominance of software firms in the defense sector; CEO Alex Karp described this as "the software century."
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Patrick Tucker
Texas State Rep Files For Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
In Short: Texas State Representative Giovanni Capriglione has proposed a bill to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, enabling the state to hold, secure, and manage bitcoin for strategic purposes while promoting transparency and public involvement.
- The reserve allows Texas residents to donate bitcoin, with transparency ensured through yearly reports, audits, and detailed rules for security and management.
- State agencies would be permitted to accept cryptocurrencies and convert them to bitcoin under the proposal.
- If passed with a two-thirds majority, the bill would take effect immediately; otherwise, it would become effective on September 1, 2025.
- This initiative follows similar legislation at the federal level, led by President-elect Donald Trump and Senator Cynthia Lummis, and reflects growing global interest, with states like Pennsylvania and countries such as Russia and Brazil introducing similar bills.
Jump to Source: Texas State Rep Files For Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Swedish Army Buys 15,000 M4A1 Carbines
In Short: Sweden is modernizing its military by procuring 15,000 M4A1 carbines from the U.S. as an immediate solution to replace its aging Ak 5 rifles while awaiting full delivery of the new Ak 24 system.
- Sweden is modernizing its military and urgently replacing the aging Ak 5 carbine, in use since the 1980s, with newer weapons.
- The Swedish Army has purchased 15,000 M4A1 carbines from the U.S. Army as an interim solution due to delays in the delivery of the AK 24 rifles.
- The purchase is described as “urgent” by Swedish media, though plans for an interim solution had been discussed earlier.
- The M4A1 is widely used globally by armies in over 70 countries, and its adoption adds Sweden to this extensive list.
Jump to Source: Swedish Army Buys 15,000 M4A1 Carbines
Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000
In Short: Israel announced the closure of its embassy in Ireland amid escalating tensions over Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have killed thousands, as Ireland pushes for international legal action against Israel over alleged war crimes.
- Israel announced the closure of its embassy in Ireland, citing Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israel policies,” including its formal recognition of a Palestinian state and intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
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WAFAA SHURAFA and NATALIE MELZERBiden Quietly Commuted Sentences Of Chinese Spies
In Short: President Biden discreetly commuted the sentences of two Chinese spies shortly before granting clemency to a large group of individuals in a separate announcement. The commutations occurred quietly and were not initially highlighted in the larger clemency discussion.
Jump to Source: Biden Quietly Commuted Sentences Of Chinese Spies
West Point Apologizes, Confirms It Accepted Hegseth
In Short: West Point issued an apology and confirmed that Pete Hegseth, Trump's controversial pick for SECDEF, was accepted to the academy after previously denying that he had even applied.
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Zachary Stieber
Israel orders troops to 'prepare to remain' in Syria buffer zone through winter
In Short: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has directed the military to remain in the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights throughout the winter following Israel's recent seizure of the area after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
- The buffer zone, meant to separate Israeli and Syrian forces, was seized by Israel on Sunday following Syrian rebels' ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
- The Golan Heights holds significant strategic importance and has been a focal point of tension in the region.
Jump to Source: Israel orders troops to 'prepare to remain' in Syria buffer zone through winter
MicroStrategy to Enter Nasdaq 100, Exposing Bitcoin-Linked Stock to Billions in Passive Investment Flows
In Short: MicroStrategy's inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 Index marks a significant milestone for bitcoin-linked stocks, exposing the company to billions in passive investment flows and solidifying its role in bridging traditional finance and cryptocurrency.
- MicroStrategy (MSTR) will become the first bitcoin-centric company to be included in the Nasdaq 100 Index, with the rebalancing set to take effect on December 23.
- Its inclusion provides the Nasdaq 100 with increased bitcoin exposure, as MicroStrategy holds approximately $42 billion worth of bitcoin, and opens the company's stock to billions in passive investment flows from ETFs like Invesco's QQQ Trust, which manages over $300 billion in assets.
- As of November 29, MicroStrategy's market cap stood at roughly $92 billion, ranking it as the 40th largest company in the index with an estimated weighting of 0.47%.
- The move is seen as a key milestone for bitcoin adoption, with millions of investors gaining indirect exposure to bitcoin, potentially amplifying demand and further integration into major indices like the SPDR S&P 500 Trust (SPY).
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Helene Braun
-Lee
