Gaston Glock, the creator of the widely known firearm that bears his name, passed away at the age of 94 on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. The Glock company reported his passing on its website, refraining from disclosing the cause or providing additional information.
In a statement, the Glock company expressed that the legacy of its founder's life's work would "continue in his spirit."
Use of Glock in USA and its Popularity
This firearm has found use among armed forces, security personnel, firearm enthusiasts, and individuals with criminal intent worldwide.
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The Glock has become ubiquitous in mainstream culture, with its usage reported in over 65% of U.S. federal, state, and local agencies, according to the company. It has also become a common reference point in various forms of media, including movies, books, and songs.
Its ascent to popularity was solidified through its presence in American pop culture, prominently featured in Hollywood blockbusters like the science-fiction action film "The Matrix Reloaded."
About Gaston Glock, Inventor of the Iconic Gun
Despite the widespread popularity of his invention, Gaston Glock has been characterized as a secluded billionaire who primarily resided at a lakeside estate in Austria.
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He seldom made appearances in the news, with notable exceptions including the release of a book about his business in 2012, a divorce from his first wife in 2011, and an incident in the late 1990s when a business associate attempted to orchestrate his assassination.
In the latter occurrence, the contracted assailant, who happened to be a professional wrestler, struck him seven times on the head with a rubber mallet. Remarkably, Glock, who was 70 at the time, resisted and successfully incapacitated his attacker.
"Gaston Glock charted the strategic direction of the Glock Group throughout his life and prepared it for the future," the company said.
It added that its leader had "revolutionised the world of small arms" and "succeeded in establishing the Glock brand as the global leader in the handgun industry".
Early Life and Making of the Glock
Born in 1929, Gaston Glock pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at a college in Vienna before establishing a consumer goods company in a town located just outside of the Austrian capital.
During the early 1980s, the company diversified into military equipment and responded to a request from the Austrian army seeking to modernize its pistols.
Gaston Glock conceived and obtained a patent for a lightweight 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun capable of firing 18 rounds and featuring easy reloading.
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The firearm garnered a devoted following among military and law enforcement personnel on a global scale.
Paul Barrett, the author of "Glock: The Rise of America's Gun," likened this firearm to "the Google of modern civilian handguns: the pioneer brand that defines its product category".
In 2021, Forbes approximated Gaston Glock's net worth to be around $1.1 billion.
The Glock In US Pop Culture
The Glock also made its mark in U.S. pop culture. In the 1998 film "US Marshals," actor Tommy Lee Jones famously quipped, "Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel-plated sissy pistol."
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The Glock has also become a recurring motif in many hip-hop songs. For instance, Tupac mentioned grabbing a Glock in his renowned track "Hit ‘Em Up." American rappers such as Snoop Dogg and the Wu-Tang Clan incorporated the firearm into their lyrics, with the later even naming one of their songs "Da Glock."
The firearm also made appearances in Hollywood blockbuster action films like "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" and "The Matrix Reloaded."
Glock Safety Concerns and Controversies
Throughout the years, proponents of gun control have voiced criticism against Glock for popularizing a firearm that was easily concealable and capable of carrying more ammunition than comparable guns.
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The Glock has not been without its share of controversies. One of its most contentious aspects may have been its "safe-action" feature, designed for quick readiness to fire. However, this also led to claims by gun safety advocates that the firearm was more susceptible to accidental and impulsive shootings.
“Mr. Glock designed his pistol with three internal safeties — the trigger, firing pin and drop safeties — to ensure that the pistol would perform consistently while providing the best protection against accidental discharge,” the site said.
In 2003, U.S. soldiers discovered Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein hiding in a hole in the ground with a Glock in his possession.
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In 2018, a former U.S. Marine Corps veteran with suspected mental health problems carried out a tragic incident in California, where he killed 12 people in a crowded bar, including a police officer.
The perpetrator of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting employed two firearms, one of which was a Glock. Similarly, Dylann Roof, who tragically killed nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, used a Glock pistol during the attack.
Ian David Long legally possessed a Glock semi-automatic handgun equipped with an extended magazine, which was in violation of California state laws.
Meanwhile, a U.S. firearms manufacturer received strong criticism for producing a customized Glock pistol designed to resemble a children's toy constructed from Lego blocks.
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Gaston Glock infrequently addressed critiques from advocates of gun control, and he steadfastly declined to align with other firearm manufacturers who entered into a voluntary gun control agreement with the U.S. government in the year 2000.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons.
