Half of U.S. states now outlaw devices that convert pistols into machine guns
Soror Shaiza | Mar 30, 2025, 15:47 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Over half of U.S. states have implemented laws banning devices such as Glock switches, which convert pistols into automatic weapons. This increase in state-level legislation follows a surge in law enforcement seizures of these small but powerful devices, which have become a significant concern in efforts to reduce gun violence. While federal law has long prohibited machine guns, many states are now creating additional regulations to address the growing threat posed by such conversion devices.
State Legislation Responds to Rising Threat
In response to the growing threat posed by devices that can convert semi-automatic pistols into machine guns, more than half of U.S. states have enacted laws that criminalize the possession of such conversion devices. Among the latest states to pass these laws are Alabama and New Mexico, which have both made Glock switches illegal. Alabama’s new law, signed by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, makes possessing a Glock switch a felony offense, carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. This legislation was driven by a series of violent incidents in which conversion devices were suspected to have been used, including a mass shooting outside a Birmingham lounge that left several dead and wounded. In New Mexico, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a similar law in February, criminalizing the possession of Glock switches and making the act punishable by up to three years in prison. The laws in both states reflect a bipartisan response to the increasing presence of these dangerous devices, with lawmakers from both political parties recognizing the need for more stringent gun control measures. These new laws mirror the federal ban on machine guns and conversion devices, but with more specific provisions tailored to local concerns.
Rising Seizures of Conversion Devices
The surge in the use and distribution of conversion devices, particularly Glock switches, has been alarming to law enforcement officials, with recent data highlighting a sharp increase in seizures. These devices, which are about the size of a coin, can be easily attached to a Glock pistol or other semi-automatic firearms to make them capable of firing in fully automatic mode. This conversion drastically increases the rate of fire, making the weapon significantly more dangerous. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) reported a dramatic rise in the recovery of machine gun conversion devices, from just 814 between 2012 and 2016, to more than 5,400 devices seized between 2017 and 2021. From 2021 to 2024, a further 12,360 suspected conversion devices were recovered. The increase is partially attributed to the growing use of 3D printers, which can produce these devices inexpensively and without regulation, making them accessible to criminals. The rise in seizures has prompted states like Alabama and New Mexico to take action and pass laws aimed at curbing the spread of these devices. These state-level efforts have been crucial in combating the proliferation of conversion devices, which are often associated with an uptick in gun violence.
Opposing Views on Gun Control
The debate surrounding the regulation of conversion devices has drawn sharp divisions between gun control advocates and gun-rights groups. Advocates for stronger gun laws, such as Everytown for Gun Safety, argue that state-level laws are necessary to fill gaps in federal regulation and address the surge in conversion devices. They advocate for even stricter laws, including those that would ban the sale of firearms that can be easily converted into machine guns, such as Glocks and certain semi-automatic rifles. They argue that manufacturers who produce weapons that can be readily converted into automatic firearms should be held accountable, and cities and states have started suing manufacturers like Glock for their role in the issue. On the other hand, gun-rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America, believe that current federal laws are adequate and that new state-level bans are unnecessary. They argue that the Second Amendment protects the right of citizens to own firearms, including automatic weapons, and that banning conversion devices is an overreach. Gun Owners of America, in particular, has claimed that automatic weapons can serve legitimate purposes, such as controlling feral animal populations, and that the increased regulation of these devices could negatively impact lawful gun owners. This divide highlights the broader, ongoing national debate over gun control and the Second Amendment, as states continue to balance public safety concerns with the rights of gun owners.
In response to the growing threat posed by devices that can convert semi-automatic pistols into machine guns, more than half of U.S. states have enacted laws that criminalize the possession of such conversion devices. Among the latest states to pass these laws are Alabama and New Mexico, which have both made Glock switches illegal. Alabama’s new law, signed by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, makes possessing a Glock switch a felony offense, carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. This legislation was driven by a series of violent incidents in which conversion devices were suspected to have been used, including a mass shooting outside a Birmingham lounge that left several dead and wounded. In New Mexico, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a similar law in February, criminalizing the possession of Glock switches and making the act punishable by up to three years in prison. The laws in both states reflect a bipartisan response to the increasing presence of these dangerous devices, with lawmakers from both political parties recognizing the need for more stringent gun control measures. These new laws mirror the federal ban on machine guns and conversion devices, but with more specific provisions tailored to local concerns.
Rising Seizures of Conversion Devices
Opposing Views on Gun Control
The debate surrounding the regulation of conversion devices has drawn sharp divisions between gun control advocates and gun-rights groups. Advocates for stronger gun laws, such as Everytown for Gun Safety, argue that state-level laws are necessary to fill gaps in federal regulation and address the surge in conversion devices. They advocate for even stricter laws, including those that would ban the sale of firearms that can be easily converted into machine guns, such as Glocks and certain semi-automatic rifles. They argue that manufacturers who produce weapons that can be readily converted into automatic firearms should be held accountable, and cities and states have started suing manufacturers like Glock for their role in the issue. On the other hand, gun-rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America, believe that current federal laws are adequate and that new state-level bans are unnecessary. They argue that the Second Amendment protects the right of citizens to own firearms, including automatic weapons, and that banning conversion devices is an overreach. Gun Owners of America, in particular, has claimed that automatic weapons can serve legitimate purposes, such as controlling feral animal populations, and that the increased regulation of these devices could negatively impact lawful gun owners. This divide highlights the broader, ongoing national debate over gun control and the Second Amendment, as states continue to balance public safety concerns with the rights of gun owners.