Small parts the size of a Lego are filling communities with modern-day machine guns that can empty an entire magazine with a single trigger pull…
Full story: Switch devices are making guns deadlier than ever
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Appalachian State University
According to the article the ATF have recovered over 5,454 switches between 2017 and 2022. Switches are modifications added to pistols which enable the gun to fire fully automatic rather than semi automatic. Resulting in more bullets being fired when shootings occur. The inaccuracy of fully automatic handguns can also lead to the unintentional shooting of bystanders. Switches are easy to make, and are ordered overseas, 3D printed, or even made in people’s homes. Seeing as the amount of switches used in crimes has increased, what dangers do they pose to law enforcement? And what might be effective methods to dealing with the rise in fully automatic handguns?