Whether they’re being illegally imported from overseas or simply 3D-printed, Glock switches are appearing in more and more criminal cases. The devices can turn a legal handgun into an illegal machine gun.

13 Investigates found they’re often sold on the dark web and on websites that allow users to upload files to be 3D-printed. But how can you legally own one?

Legality

Glock switches are firearm accessories that allow semi-automatic handguns to fire in full-auto mode. They are illegal in many states and can be deadly if used by criminals.

To legally own a switch, individuals must submit proper paperwork and undergo a background check. They must also pay a tax stamp to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Failure to comply can lead to serious legal penalties.

ATF investigators say glock switch are becoming more common and are posing a risk to law enforcement officers. They are often found in the hands of criminals who shoot at police.

The ATF says a Glock switch can turn a semi-automatic gun into an automatic weapon capable of firing dozens of bullets in two seconds. Investigators say the devices are easily purchased online and may be shipped in boxes marked as other items, such as key chains. In the past, they have been made overseas but are now more commonly 3D-printed.

Licensing

Whether they’re illegally imported from overseas or created on a 3D printer, Glock switches are popping up more and more often in cases and crime scene investigations. The small devices can turn a semiautomatic handgun into an illegal machine gun, firing off up to 30 rounds in less than two seconds.

These switches are illegal under federal law, which defines them as a device that allows a firearm to fire automatically. They require a special license and tax stamp to be legally possessed, as well as passing background checks and other requirements. Those who possess Glock switches without the proper paperwork could face serious legal penalties.

But they’re still available for sale on the internet, with people posting about them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram. Forbes found at least 15 examples of these devices and a similar add-on for AR-15 assault rifles on mainstream social media platforms. They’re also advertised on websites that allow users to buy and sell guns, despite these sites’ terms of service that forbid weapon transactions.

Background Check

Glock switch for sale allow people to convert semiautomatic handguns into machine guns. They can fire dozens of bullets with one pull of the trigger, which makes them especially dangerous for police officers. The devices are illegal to possess in many states, and federal law enforcement is targeting manufacturers, sellers and people who use them.

ATF Special Agent Fred Milanowski says the number of cases involving Glock switches has tripled in 2021. They’re found more frequently on crime scenes and often on people who shouldn’t have guns at all, like convicted felons.

To legally own a Glock switch, you need to submit proper paperwork and go through the background check process. You must also pay a tax stamp and obtain a federal firearms license. Building a Glock switch is legal, but you must follow the laws and regulations in your state. Failure to do so can result in severe legal consequences. You could be arrested and jailed for years.

Tax Stamp

The process to legally own a Glock switch requires you to pay for and submit an application to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This includes a background check and a waiting period to make sure you are not a criminal.

The bureau says the small switches, which can convert a Glock pistol into a fully automatic machine gun, are being sold online or made using 3D printers. They say the devices are posing a threat to law enforcement because they allow a single pull of the trigger to shoot multiple rounds and are harder to control.

The FBI’s Savannah Field Office showed WBRC a Glock with and without a switch at a local range. With the device, it fired a dozen bullets in two seconds. FBI agent Matt Beccio says Glock switches are a dangerous weapon for criminals and the public. He says he has seen them used in murders and other crimes.