In an effort to address the growing problem of machine guns on the streets, the ATF is now collaborating with librarians to identify and halt the use of illegal machine gun conversion devices, often printed using 3D printers. According to a report by ABC15, these devices, such as "Glock switches" or auto sears, can convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms. The ATF has reported a staggering 570% increase in the seizures of these conversion devices from 2017 to 2021.
The ATF's new task force aims to educate librarians on identifying these conversion devices, which have been implicated in several recent mass shootings. As described by a neighbor who witnessed a shooting aftermath in Detroit, "I saw them being lifted away. It was just madness," Dondre Knight told ABC15 after the incident where 21 people were shot. With the surreptitious nature of these devices being so small and easily overlooked, the hope is that trained librarians can report suspicious activity to authorities.
Federal law enforcement is additionally reaching out to the 3D printer industry for a collective effort in this battle. Possession of these devices is currently punishable by up to 10 years in prison. “We need the news media to push this out, to make awareness of it,” Brendan Iber, Phoenix ATF Special Agent in Charge, conveyed the urgency of the situation in a statement obtained by ABC15.
Training librarians to spot these dangerous items is part of a larger initiative announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. "We need to engage software developers, technology experts and leaders in the 3-D-printing industry to identify solutions in this fight," said U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, as reported by U.S. News. The initiatives include a national training scheme for law enforcement and efforts to capture trends and intelligence that might aid in curbing the manufacture and spread of machine gun converters.
