SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are taking aim at devices that can turn legal firearms into illegal machine guns.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper for the ATF Houston Field Division announced a joint initiative, “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” at a Monday morning press conference. The operation’s target is machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches,” and the people who possess, manufacture, or sell them.
The U.S. Attorneys for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts are also involved in the initiative.
The ATF has been warning of the increased prevalence of the devices, which can be made of metal or plastic and even printed with 3D printers.
They convert commercial handguns into automatic weapons. The switch itself is considered a machine gun because it allows a gun to fire multiple rounds with one trigger pull. In many cases, their firing power outpaces military-grade machine guns, Topper said.
Topper and Esparza also said they have a particular appeal to young people and have contributed to deaths across the country.
Between 2017 and 2023, Texas-based ATF agents seized 991 switches; 490 of those, 49%, were seized just last year, a press release stated.
“These ‘Switches’ as they are often called on the streets, not only pose a serious threat to those living in our communities but a unique and deadly threat to law enforcement. Simply possessing one of these devices is a federal crime and we will work endlessly in conjunction with our United States Attorney’s Office in addition to our local, state, and federal partners to identify and prosecute these crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for ATF Houston in a press release.
The agencies are collaborating with local and state agencies to identify the devices.
They’re also asking the public to reach out to law enforcement if they are aware of someone with a switch.
From now until Aug. 31, Crime Stoppers will offer rewards of up to $5,000 for anonymous tips leading to the apprehension or prosecution of those who possess switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them. Information may also be submitted directly to ATF online.
It’s illegal to own a conversion device and the charge could carry a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison.