In a YouTube video, a gun reviewer demonstrated a Glock pistol firing on full auto using an autosear, a device that can convert semiautomatic weapons into machine guns. While possession of such devices is illegal and can lead to prison time, the use of autosears is growing among gun enthusiasts thanks to technological advancements and greater access to information. This poses a challenge for law enforcement and regulators, as these devices can easily be obtained or built for less than $100, making faster-shooting guns more common in the US. The civilian ownership of machine guns has been tightly regulated since the 1930s, with prices reaching five-figures for legal, pre-1986 automatic weapons. While changes have been made to curb devices like bump stocks after mass shootings, the availability of accessories like binary triggers still allow for similar rapid fire rates on semiautomatic weapons.
To legally possess and shoot modern machine guns, some gun enthusiasts have obtained a Federal Firearms License, allowing them to sell guns and apply for a Special Occupational Tax to possess and transfer machine guns legally. This loophole gives them unfettered access to fully automatic weapons, which they can shoot as long as the gun is stored at their business overnight. Companies online offer assistance in obtaining post-1986 machine guns, and some YouTube channels show individuals shooting automatic weapons legally at ranges.
The black market for automatic weapons has grown due to advancements in modifying semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic ones. Attachments like autosears, often dubbed “Glock switches,” are being illegally made with 3D printers or imported from overseas. These devices are increasingly showing up at crime scenes, leading to calls for action against gun manufacturers like Glock for making their pistols easily modifiable into machine guns. Legal actions have been taken against Glock, accusing them of failing to address the issue, and proposed bills seek to ban the sale of easily modifiable pistols.
Despite efforts to regulate the conversion of semiautomatic firearms into automatic weapons, it remains relatively simple for enthusiasts to find ways to modify their guns illegally. Whether through 3D-printed autosears or makeshift methods, the threat of illegal machine guns remains prevalent. Lawmakers and regulators continue to grapple with the challenge of addressing the growing market for faster-shooting guns and preventing the illegal modification of firearms.
