Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has issued a warning to Southport-based firearms manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., threatening legal action over its RXM pistol. Tong alleges the pistol is too easily converted into an illegal, fully automatic machine gun using aftermarket devices commonly known as “switches.”
The Anti-Gunners’ Argument
In a letter to Ruger, Tong claims the company’s own marketing, which promotes the RXM as compatible with “virtually all Glock accessories” for “nearly unlimited customization,” is proof of the problem. He argues this design choice makes it simple to convert the pistol to fire at rates up to 1,200 rounds per minute.
Tong, leveraging a new Connecticut law that allows civil action against firearms manufacturers, stated that if the RXM is easily converted, Ruger’s decision to prioritize “profits over safety may be in violation” of state laws. This move follows a similar letter sent to Ruger by the Bloomberg-funded group, Everytown for Gun Safety, which demanded Ruger take the RXM off the market.
RUGER RXM 9mm Pistol
$389.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel length: 4"
- Capacity: 15rd
- Slide Width: 1"
- Weight: 23.2oz
- Optics-Ready: Yes (direct optic mounting of RMR, DPP, and RMSc pattern optics)
Glock Discontinuing Its Pistols
This new offensive comes after Glock recently discontinued many of its Gen 3, 4, and 5 pistol models. While Glock framed it as a “strategic portfolio reduction,” the move is widely seen as a response to legal pressure and new laws, like a California ban on handguns with cruciform trigger bars, which are susceptible to conversion. Reports suggest Glock is developing a new “V-series” with a more tamper-proof design.
This has drawn attention to other manufacturers like Ruger, whose RXM pistol shares similar customizable features.
Ruger’s Response
Ruger expressed disappointment that Tong’s office went straight to a press release without any prior discussion, but stated it has offered to meet with the Attorney General.
Despite the legal threats, Ruger appears to be holding the line. In a recent webcast for investors, CEO Todd Seyfert announced plans to “build out the popular RXM pistol family with new grip frames, sizes, accessories, and configurations.”
Tong’s letter asks Ruger to clarify its plans for the RXM and to preserve all documents related to MCDs (machine gun conversion devices), marketing, and the pistol’s design. The situation is developing as the industry watches to see how Ruger will respond to the mounting pressure from anti-gun politicians and activist groups.
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