Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday said they're cracking down on the rising use of illegal machine gun-conversion devices.
Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday said they're cracking down on the rising use of illegal machine gun-conversion devices. U.
S. Attorneys from across the state held simultaneous press conferences, including one in San Antonio, to unveil “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide initiative targeting devices known as"switches" that can convert legally procured commercial firearms into a fully automatic weapon weapons that can fire more rapidly than some military-grade guns. “As U.S. Attorneys and federal law enforcement agents, our offices have been investigating and prosecuting switches for many years, but as the problem continues to escalate, we are determined to do more,” U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas said in a written statement. “Operation Kill Switch has two main goals. We encourage state and local law enforcement to be on the lookout for machinegun conversion devices, and we urge the public to report switches to law enforcement.” In a statement, ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel warned that switches pose a threat to both law enforcement and people living in Texas communities. “Simply possessing one of these devices is a federal crime and we will work endlessly in conjunction with our United States Attorney’s Office in addition to our local, state, and federal partners to identify and prosecute these crimes," Weddel said. Switches may be made of metal or plastic, and the inch-long devices can even be manufactured using a 3D printer. They generally slot into the butt of a gun and allow wielder to unleash bursts of rounds with a single pull of the trigger, Justice Department officials said. The number of switches recovered by law enforcement has ballooned in recent years, according to federal authorities. Between 2017 and 2023, Texas-based ATF agents seized 991 switches, and about half of those were taken last year. From now through Aug. 31, Crime Stoppers will offer rewards of up to $5,000 for anonymous tips leading to the apprehension or prosecution of people who possess firearms switches or are producing them with 3D printers, Justice Department and ATF officials said Monday. Since 1986, the SA Current has served as the free, independent voice of San Antonio, and we want to keep it that way. Becoming an SA Current Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.
Operation Texas Kill Switch Us Attorneys Office Atf Switches Illegal Firearms Automatic Weapons
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in lineThe state party plans to limit primaries to registered Republicans and keep elected officials it censured off the ballot. It’s unclear if it can without legislative approval.
Read more »
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in lineThe state party plans to limit primaries to registered Republicans and keep elected officials it censured off the ballot. It’s unclear if it can without legislative approval.
Read more »
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in lineSign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Read more »
Federal officials urge mpox vaccinations to blunt a summer surgeA conversation with a CDC official about the agency’s efforts to head off a summer surge of mpox.
Read more »
World's largest Buc-ee's will remain in Texas, company officials sayOn Monday, the largest gas station in the world — a 75,000-square-foot Buc-ee's arrayed with 120 fuel pumps — opened in Luling, about an hour northeast of San Antonio. The opening marks the first time since 2023 that the world's largest gas station has been located in Texas.
Read more »
Federal court rules 8 books on racism and transgender issues must return to Texas libraryFederal court: 8 of 17 books on racism and LGBTQ+ issues removed by Texas county officials must return to shelves amid lawsuit over book bans.
Read more »