ATLANTA — Law enforcement in Atlanta is grappling with a surge of "instant machine guns" on the streets, as gun switches are being used to convert semi-automatic handguns into weapons capable of full-auto mayhem.
These gun switches, small devices known as auto sears, have been retrieved from numerous arrests, where officers sometimes find themselves under automatic fire upon serving warrants, Atlanta News First reports.
Under federal law, any part that converts a weapon to full auto, including these switches, is prohibited without a special license from the ATF. Yet, this hasn't deterred their spread, as police departments now resort to using paper cups for shell casings at crime scenes due to the volume of gunfire.
A worrying trend is the ease of manufacturing these switches with 3D printers, with plans freely available online. "If your goal is to sell these, you can flood the street market as much as you want to," ATF Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons told Atlanta News First. Despite efforts by the ATF to educate the public and train law enforcement on spotting these illegal modifications, their use in crimes - and potential for mass shootings - remains a significant concern.
In Chicago, a lawsuit has been filed against gun manufacturer Glock, with the city's mayor demanding accountability and citing over 1,100 modified Glocks recovered by police. "Selling firearms that can so easily be converted into automatic weapons makes heinous acts even more deadly," Mayor Brandon Johnson said, according to Erie News Now. The lawsuit seeks to stop Glock sales to civilians unless the guns are redesigned to prevent such modifications.
Meanwhile, Georgia State Rep. Sandra Scott has introduced legislation to ban gun switches following the tragic death of her cousin, who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting. While his death did not involve a gun switch, it underscores the pervasive threat of gun violence.
