MINNESOTA — The attorney general’s race could reshape the state’s lawsuit against Glock, with incumbent Keith Ellison defending the litigation and Republican challenger Ron Schutz questioning its purpose ahead of the November 3 election. Ellison argues that pursuing the gunmaker is part of enforcing Minnesota’s gun laws. Schutz called the litigation political during a recent interview and acknowledged that he had not examined its allegations. Ellison rejected Schutz’s suggestion that he wants to eliminate lawful handgun ownership, describing himself as a gun owner and hunter. Schutz has also said he would end the attorney general’s partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, which is assisting with the case. University law professor Richard Painter warned that a change in leadership could end the litigation. That is his assessment of the election’s potential consequences, rather than a court decision or an announced dismissal. The underlying civil action was filed on December 12, 2024, against Glock Inc. and its Austrian parent company. Minnesota alleges that the companies’ handgun designs and promotion contributed to harm because the firearms are susceptible to illegal conversion into automatic weapons. Its claims include public nuisance, consumer protection violations, negligence and product liability. Glock sought dismissal, arguing, among other things, that federal law protects it from the lawsuit and that the requested relief raises constitutional concerns. Hennepin County District Judge Christian Sande denied the defendants’ motions on August 21, 2025. That ruling allowed Minnesota’s case to proceed. It did not establish that the state’s allegations were true or determine liability. The campaign debate now raises a separate question: whether the next attorney general will continue pursuing the case. Sources and further reading: FOX 9 — Nathan O’Neal, October 26, 2026: https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesotas-lawsuit-against-glock-may-hinge-attorney-general-race Hennepin County District Court — Order denying defendants’ motions to dismiss, August 21, 2025, case 27-CV-24-18827: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/docs/Glock_MTD.pdf