Connecticut Democrats Move Forward with Glock Ban

On Wednesday, the Connecticut Judiciary Committee, led by Democrats, advanced a ban on Glocks that mirrors similar legislation recently enacted in California.

The proposed law, HB 5043, aims to prohibit Glocks and their clones based on concerns that these firearms can be easily modified to automatic mode through a switch located at the rear of the pistol’s slide.

The text of HB 5043 outlines Glock and Glock-style pistols as “convertible” because they include a trigger bar design that can readily be transformed into a machine gun using basic household tools, simply by attaching a converter.

When California implemented its ban, it was noted that the legislation was a response to the illegal use of “Glock switches.” These devices are made of plastic and can attach to a Glock slide, enabling automatic firing, making them illegal on a federal level.

The prevalence of “Glock switches” among gang members has led California Democrats to restrict sales of Glock pistols, widely regarded as one of the most sought-after handguns historically. Now, Democrats in Connecticut are following a similar direction.

Republican Representative Craig Fishbein expressed his dissent against the ban, stating, “‘Thou shalt not infringe’ still appears in the U.S. Constitution…I possess firearms that can be modified, yet none have been turned into machine guns.”

State Rep. Doug Dubitsky (R) labeled the bill as unconstitutional, arguing that Glocks are the go-to firearms for self-defense and other lawful uses both in Connecticut and nationwide. He is optimistic about the possibility of the bill being challenged successfully in court.

Meanwhile, California’s Glock ban is currently under review in federal court due to a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association and other groups.