HB05043 (2026): Public Act 26-41 Convertible Pistols Ban

Update: Enacted as Public Act 26-41, Effective October 1, 2026

Connecticut enacted HB 5043 as Public Act 26-41 after the 2026 regular session. The public act updates Connecticut law on convertible pistols, unfinished frames or lower receivers, voluntary firearm and ammunition relinquishment, and permit refundability. The firearm provisions relevant to convertible pistols take effect October 1, 2026.^[1][8]

Prior legislative history: HB 5043 advanced out of the Judiciary Committee in late March 2026 on a party-line vote and was referred to the Office of Legislative Research / Office of Fiscal Analysis (OLR/OFA) for fiscal note preparation on April 13, 2026. At the March 11, 2026 public hearing, the committee received approximately 1,900 written testimonies in opposition and roughly 50 in support.

What the Bill Would Do

House Bill 05043 targets convertible pistols — firearms that can be readily modified to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic firing modes. The bill would ban both the manufacture and sale of these weapons within Connecticut^[1]. Convertible pistols have drawn increased federal and state attention in recent years due to the proliferation of auto-sear devices (commonly called "Glock switches") that convert standard semiautomatic handguns to fire fully automatic. The May 6, 2026 ATF rule revising the federal "machinegun" definition under 27 CFR 478.11 and 479.11 reinforces, but does not replace, PA 26-41, which still takes effect October 1, 2026 and adds independent state criminal liability for manufacture and sale of convertible pistols in Connecticut.^[9]

Current Status

HB 5043 is no longer pending. The Connecticut General Assembly lists the measure as Public Act 26-41, and the enacted act states that the relevant statutory amendments are effective October 1, 2026. This article should remain marked as enacted, not effective, until the October 1 effective date is rechecked.^[1][8]

What to Watch

Watch the October 1, 2026 effective date and any implementation guidance from DESPP or the Connecticut State Police. Until that date, this is an enacted but not yet effective law. Owners, dealers, and manufacturers should review the public act text before manufacturing, selling, importing, or advertising pistols that can be readily converted to automatic fire.