Your Daily Guide

Illinois Bill Targets Handguns That Can Convert Into Automatic Weapons

Illinois lawmakers are pushing a measure that would outlaw certain pistols that can be turned into automatic weapons. Some gun manufacturers, like Glock, would have to redesign their handguns to make it harder for people to illegally modify their weapons.

Gun safety experts say the conversion can be made using common household tools to attach the conversion devices, commonly referred to as “switches” or “auto-sears,” to the back of the handgun. These devices are illegal under state and federal law, but can be purchased outside of the country or 3D printed from online designs.

What about the guns already here? Illinois residents who already own these guns would still be able to keep them. Gun shops and manufacturers would be permitted to sell their existing inventory to out-of-state buyers.

• Who else is exempt from the ban? Prison officials, National Guard members, and current and former law enforcement officers.

The debate: Supporters of the proposal argue it would make it harder to obtain machine gun fire, which can be more destructive and deadly. However, gun rights advocates say the law would unfairly put gun manufacturers in a costly situation and may not actually stop the illegal modifications.

A history of lawsuits: Although Glocks aren’t the only pistols that can be converted to automatic weapons, they’re among the most popular. The city sued Glock in 2024 for manufacturing, selling, and marketing pistols that could be easily modified into illegal machine guns. In September 2025, the court denied the company’s motion to dismiss, allowing the lawsuit to move forward.

• Glock responds: In October 2025, Glock reported that it would discontinue its pistols and launch a new design that would prevent the conversions.
• In Indiana: A 26-year-old lawsuit against gunmakers for illegal gun sales came to an end late last year. We talked about how it impacted Chicago’s lawsuit.

Does gun legislation work in Illinois? Illinois has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, right behind California. In 2023, Illinois passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, banning the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and “switches.” The law has faced legal challenges. But experts say bans on more common weapons used in shootings could make more of a difference.