The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is raising concerns about a small, inexpensive device known as a “Glock switch” or a “machine gun conversion device” that allows criminals to transform a handgun into a machine gun, capable of firing 30-plus rounds in seconds. These devices can be manufactured using a 3D printer and can cost as little as 40 cents. There have been instances of the Glock switch being used in high-profile crimes, such as a shooting at a Sweet 16 party in Alabama that left four people dead. Federal authorities recently held a meeting with gun manufacturers, academics, and law enforcement to address the production of these conversion devices.
ATF officials demonstrated at their National Service Center in West Virginia how these machine gun conversion devices are illegally made and the damage they can cause. Criminologists have reported an increase in the use of Glock switches at crime scenes, with these conversion devices accounting for a significant portion of illegal weapons confiscated in trafficking cases. A recent ATF report showed a 570% increase in the recovery of conversion devices by local law enforcement over the previous decade. The ATF, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, plans to intensify efforts to identify these illegal devices and educate local law enforcement on how to recognize them.
ATF Director Steve Dettlebach acknowledged that law enforcement often struggles to identify machine gun conversion devices since they do not always resemble traditional firearms such as Tommy guns. The ATF has documented multiple instances of conversion devices being used in fatal shootings in recent years, including a case in Alabama where four people were killed and 32 were injured at a Sweet 16 party. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized that using, selling, or possessing these conversion devices is illegal under federal law, punishable by up to ten years in prison. The Justice Department is urging the public to refrain from using or manufacturing these devices.
The availability and use of Glock switches and other machine gun conversion devices pose a significant threat to public safety due to their ability to rapidly fire multiple rounds. Federal law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, are ramping up efforts to crack down on the production and distribution of these illegal devices. The ATF is working with industry stakeholders, academic experts, and law enforcement to combat the proliferation of conversion devices and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Law enforcement agencies are being trained to identify these devices and respond effectively to incidents involving them.
The prevalence of conversion devices in criminal activity underscores the urgent need for enhanced regulation and enforcement measures to address this growing threat. The ATF’s proactive approach in investigating and dismantling networks involved in the production and distribution of these devices is critical to preventing further violence and loss of life. Federal authorities are calling on the public to report any information related to the manufacturing or sale of machine gun conversion devices to help combat this illegal activity. By working together with law enforcement and community members, officials aim to curtail the use of Glock switches and similar devices and safeguard the public from the dangers they pose.
