Federal prosecutors in Texas have launched “Operation Texas Kill Switch” to target machine gun conversion devices known as switches or auto-sears, which can be created using 3D printers. These devices have been linked to shootings in several cities, prompting warnings about the dangers they pose. Local authorities in Texas are offering cash rewards for information leading to the prosecution of individuals in possession of these devices or 3D printers used to create them. The use of 3D printers to make these switches has been on the rise across the United States, with the ATF seizing thousands of them in recent years.
The ease and speed of creating switches with 3D printers has raised concerns about the proliferation of these illegal devices, which can turn regular firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing multiple rounds rapidly. Possession of these switches is illegal under the National Firearms Act, carrying hefty penalties.
To combat this surge in switches, various states, including Oklahoma, New York, and Maryland, have launched initiatives to ban or restrict these devices. The city of Chicago has even taken legal action against a gun manufacturer for producing pistols that can easily be converted into machine guns using switches. Law enforcement officials are urging community members to report any individuals involved in the production or possession of these dangerous devices in order to prevent further violence and protect public safety.
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