Connecticut already has some of the toughest gun restrictions in the country, and a new bill advancing in the state legislature targets Glocks and Glock clones. 

Backed by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D), state House Bill 5043 advances a ban on popular handguns that have been on the market for over 40 years and are commonly used for lawful self-defense. The measure, advanced last week in a partisan vote of the House Judiciary Committee, ambiguously bans the future manufacture, sale, and importation into the state of "convertible pistols" defined as "any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar" that could potentially be adapted to fire full auto through the use of a switch or insert. 

The cruciform trigger bar is a hallmark of Glock's design and is emulated by similar pistols marketed by Shadow Systems and others.

Those found in violation could face a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000.

The measure is similar to one passed in California last year that caught an immediate federal lawsuit from pro-gun groups. It is backed by national anti-gun groups such as Everytown. 

Meanwhile, HB 5043 is widely opposed by 2A groups, with the NRA-ILA noting that, "This legislation targets law-abiding manufacturers, dealers, and residents rather than individuals performing illegal modifications on otherwise basic platforms."

A second proposal tracking in the state house is HB 5436, which could treat unserialized firearm parts like barrels and slides as if they were full firearms, mandating a background check before transfer.

Connecticut Republican gubernatorial candidate Betsy McCaughey argues that HB 5043 and HB 5436 "punish law-abiding gun owners instead of criminals," and only offer "More bureaucracy. More costs. No impact on crime."

Banner image: Glock G45 Gen 6 with a SureFire X300T light. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)