Blog

Oct 15, 2024

3D-printed devices can turn semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, federal officials warn – Houston Public Media

On Monday, officials in Sugar Land said people are getting their hands on weapons that take 0.64 seconds to fire 15 rounds. Federal agents across Texas say a small piece of 3D-printed plastic can turn

On Monday, officials in Sugar Land said people are getting their hands on weapons that take 0.64 seconds to fire 15 rounds.

Federal agents across Texas say a small piece of 3D-printed plastic can turn semi-automatic weapons into machine guns.

They're cracking down on the so-called "switches," which are illegal in the U.S.

It takes 3.82 seconds to fire 15 rounds, using a normal semi-automatic pistol. Meanwhile, it takes just 0.64 seconds to fire the same number of rounds using a semi-automatic pistol converted into a machine gun using a switch.

Mike Weddel is a Special Agent in Charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. At a press conference in Sugar Land on Monday, he explained how people get their hands on these devices.

"They’re 3D-printed, or often they’re imported from other countries," he said. "We see a lot of the switches that come from China."

Switches are made from a small piece of plastic or metal and can be slotted into the butt of a gun. That allows someone to fire multiple rounds with just one pull of the trigger.

Texas-based federal agents seized 490 switches last year.

Alamdar Hamdani is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

At the press conference, he announced a joint initiative with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to put a stop to the devices.

"It’s killing our neighbors, our police," he said. "That half-inch piece of plastic, a switch, fuels the violence of Mexican cartels."

Crime Stoppers will offer cash rewards for tips leading to the arrest or prosecution of those in possession of switches or 3D printers used to make them. Tipsters will be granted anonymity.