Connecticut’s proposed sale ban on “convertible pistols,” prompted by an increase in seized machine guns and devices that can turn ordinary pistols into machine guns, is driving up gun sales, gun dealers say. HB 5043, which aims to ban handguns that can be easily converted into machine guns using thumb-sized device, was introduced by Gov. Ned Lamont in February and passed the House this week. Connecticut is the smallest state considering the legislation and among the first to tackle this issue, along with California, Maryland, Illinois and New York. The bill would primarily affect the sale of Glock handguns, which use a cruciform trigger mechanism that can be depressed by a switch to allow it to fire rapid rounds. Gun dealers and industry advocates say the bill targets consumers, not criminals, and is unconstitutional — although they say it has led to a recent increase in handgun sales. “We figured it’s about 30% of our sales,” said Richard Sprandel, the owner of Blue Line Firearms and Tactical in Monroe, referring to Glocks. “There are other …