Inexpensive Add-on Spawns a New Era of Machine Guns
LAS VEGAS – The use of inexpensive devices known as “switches” is turning ordinary pistols into fully automatic weapons, making them deadlier and a growing threat to bystanders. This was evident in the recent shooting near Caison Robinson’s home in Las Vegas, where the 14-year-old survived multiple gunshot wounds.
Caison had just finished his chores and was meeting up with a younger neighbor when a gunman in a white car opened fire. Caison cried out to his mother, who rushed out of their house to find her son lying on the pavement, covered in blood. The Las Vegas police later confirmed that the shooting was carried out with a pistol rigged with a switch, which can transform a semiautomatic handgun into a fully automatic machine gun.
These makeshift machine guns are contributing to the national epidemic of gun violence, making shootings increasingly lethal and leaving survivors more grievously wounded. Law enforcement authorities and medical workers have expressed concern over the growing use of switches, which are also known as auto sears.
Data shows that the use of switches is on the rise. Audio sensors monitored by Sound Thinking, a public safety technology company, recorded 75,544 rounds of suspected automatic gunfire in 2022 in various cities across the country. This marks a 49 percent increase from the previous year.
The popularity of switches, especially among young people, has become a major concern for law enforcement officials. Many switches are sold and owned by individuals under the age of 18, who often face more lenient treatment in the courts. The proliferation of switches has also coincided with the accessibility of ghost guns, untraceable firearms that can be made with components purchased online or made with 3-D printers.
Law enforcement officials are facing obstacles in their efforts to combat the use of switches. The devices are easily produced and installed at home using readily available instruction videos on the internet. Social media platforms like YouTube ban content that shows people how to make illegal weapons, but such content remains widely available online.
Federal law enforcement officials have reached out to Glock, the company that produces a popular 9 millimeter handgun, in search of ways to modify the weapon to make it harder to attach switches. However, Glock has determined that the design of the pistol cannot be altered in that way.
The Justice Department has increased prosecutions of sellers and suppliers of switches in recent years. Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, it is a crime to manufacture a machine gun, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. However, the ease and low cost of producing switches pose a significant challenge for law enforcement.
Switches are becoming embedded in youth culture and have been the subject of rap songs and memes on social media. Teenagers are acquiring converted guns, often from older siblings, and using them as a status symbol. Caison Robinson, the 14-year-old survivor of the Las Vegas shooting, said that switches have become a trend among teenagers in his neighborhood.
The use of switches is a growing concern for communities across the country. The ability to turn ordinary pistols into fully automatic weapons poses a significant threat to public safety. Law enforcement officials and lawmakers are working to address this issue and find ways to prevent the proliferation of switches and other illegal firearms.Title: Inexpensive Add-on Spawns a New Era of Machine Guns, Posing a Growing Threat to Public Safety
Subtitle: Popular devices known as “switches” are turning ordinary pistols into fully automatic weapons, making them deadlier and a growing threat to bystanders.
Las Vegas, NV – Caison Robinson, a 14-year-old boy, survived multiple gunshot wounds from a shooting near his home in Las Vegas. The incident, which occurred in May, involved a pistol rigged with a small and illegal device known as a switch. These switches can transform semiautomatic handguns into fully automatic machine guns, capable of firing dozens of bullets with a single pull of the trigger.
The use of switches has become increasingly prevalent, contributing to the national epidemic of gun violence. Law enforcement authorities and medical workers have expressed concern over the indiscriminate carnage caused by these makeshift machine guns, which are making shootings more lethal and leaving survivors more grievously wounded.
Data from audio sensors monitored by Sound Thinking, a public safety technology company, reveals a 49 percent increase in suspected automatic gunfire incidents in 2022 compared to the previous year. The growing popularity of switches, particularly among young people, has been identified as a major factor in the rising number of gun violence victims in cities like Kansas City, where homicides are approaching record highs.
Switches, also known as auto sears, are small Lego-like plastic blocks that can be easily manufactured using a 3-D printer and are available for around $200. These devices are turning up more frequently at crime scenes, often wielded by teenagers who see them as a status symbol and a competitive advantage. The proliferation of switches has coincided with the accessibility of untraceable firearms, known as ghost guns, which can be made using components purchased online or created with 3-D printers.
Law enforcement officials face significant challenges in addressing the issue of switches. The devices are easy to produce and install at home, with readily available instruction videos on the internet. Many switches are sold and owned by individuals under the age of 18, who often receive more lenient treatment in the courts.
Efforts to modify firearms to prevent the attachment of switches have been explored, with federal law enforcement officials contacting Glock, a leading firearm manufacturer. However, Glock has determined that the design of their pistols cannot be altered to prevent switch attachment.
Incidents involving modified weapons have resulted in tragic consequences. Shootings in Houston, Sacramento, and Milwaukee have highlighted the devastating impact of these weapons, prompting comparisons to war zones. Medical professionals have also observed an increase in the number of gunshot wounds among victims, as switches
How are law enforcement officials and lawmakers addressing the challenge of preventing the spread of switches and other illegal firearms, considering the embedded presence of switches in youth culture
. Data collected by Sound Thinking, a public safety technology company, shows a 49 percent increase in suspected automatic gunfire incidents in 2022, compared to the previous year.
One major concern is the popularity of switches among young people, who often face more lenient treatment in the courts. Many switches are owned and sold by individuals under the age of 18. The proliferation of switches has also coincided with the accessibility of ghost guns, untraceable firearms that can be made with components purchased online or made with 3-D printers.
Law enforcement officials are struggling to combat the use of switches due to the ease of production and installation. Instruction videos demonstrating how to make switches are readily available online, despite social media platforms like YouTube banning such content.
Efforts have been made to modify popular handguns, like Glock’s 9 millimeter, to make it harder to attach switches. However, Glock has determined that the design of their pistol cannot be altered in that way.
The Justice Department has increased prosecutions of sellers and suppliers of switches in recent years, but the ease and low cost of producing switches remain a significant challenge.
Switches have become embedded in youth culture and have been referenced in rap songs and memes on social media. Teenagers are acquiring converted guns, often from older siblings, and using them as a status symbol.
The use of switches is a growing concern for communities across the country. The ability to turn ordinary pistols into fully automatic weapons poses a significant threat to public safety. Law enforcement officials and lawmakers are working to address this issue and find ways to prevent the spread of switches and other illegal firearms.
