Illinois did not become the fourth state legislature to pass a bill banning the firing mechanism design of Glock guns. Despite passing it through a House committee on May 20, the General Assembly did not take up House Bill 4471.
Capital News Illinois reports the bill would have banned the sale of any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar in Illinois, though current Glock owners would not be subject to any restrictions. Gun rights advocates and Republicans vigorously opposed the bill, arguing it would have no effect on public safety.
Supporters said the design could be easily modified with already illegal switches and essentially turned into a machine gun. Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Orland Park, said Chicago police have recovered 1,300 modified Glocks used in crimes. The city sued Glock two years ago, alleging the company makes guns that it knows can be easily modified with illegal switches. The lawsuit is still making its way through the courts.
