Operation Texas Kill Switch Targets Illegal Machine Gun Conversion Devices | State

The initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage state and local law enforcement to be vigilant. “The current threat comes from machine gun conversion devices that easily turn a firearm into a machine gun,” Weddel said. “Simply possessing one of these devices is a federal crime, and we will work tirelessly to identify and prosecute these crimes.”

The switches, often made of metal or plastic and sometimes made using 3D printers, allow guns to fire dozens of rounds with a single trigger pull. These devices have been linked to numerous fatal shootings, including mass shootings of youth and killings of police officers. The National Firearms Act classifies switches as machine guns, making their possession illegal except in very limited circumstances.

The number of switches recovered by law enforcement has increased, with Texas-based ATF agents seizing 991 switches between 2017 and 2023, half of which were seized last year alone. These devices are frequently sold on social media, targeting both adults and minors.

As part of Operation Texas Kill Switch, U.S. Attorneys announced a partnership with statewide Crime Stoppers programs. Through August 31, local Crime Stoppers agencies will offer cash rewards for information leading to the arrest or prosecution of people who possess switches or the 3D printers used to make them. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day to local Crime Stoppers programs.