Maryland and Connecticut have both signed new firearm restriction bills into law targeting Glock-style pistols and similar firearms capable of being modified with conversion devices. The new laws add to a growing wave of state-level gun control efforts focused on restricting certain semi-automatic handguns.

The legislation bans the sale, manufacture, import, and transfer of firearms using trigger systems that lawmakers claim can be converted from semi-automatic to fully automatic operation. While current owners may keep existing firearms under grandfather provisions, critics warn those protections could change in the future.

Gun rights advocates argue the laws violate the Second Amendment and conflict with existing federal regulations already banning illegal machine gun conversion devices. Lawsuits challenging the new restrictions are already being prepared, including potential legal action from the NRA.

The new restrictions are similar to laws previously passed in California and may signal a broader trend as other states, including Illinois and New York, consider comparable legislation. Supporters of gun rights fear these firearm bans could continue spreading nationwide.