(ConservativeInsider.org) – Law enforcement officials and experts have raised serious concerns about a surge in illegal gun modifications linked to China. These modifications, known as “Glock switches” or “auto sear switches,” effectively transform semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons, bypassing a near-century-old legal barrier designed to keep such firearms out of civilian hands.
These small, easily concealable modifications, readily available online for around $50, raise significant public safety concerns. They allow for continuous firing with a single pull of the trigger. Cases involving these modified weapons have already made tragic headlines, as highlighted in Peter Schweizer’s book “Blood Money.”
One such case involved Paul Kutz, a 53-year-old accountant, who was fatally shot by a masked gunman using a modified handgun in Poughkeepsie, New York. The assailant, Roy Johnson, sprayed 30 bullets, striking Kutz in vital organs, resulting in his death. Johnson was subsequently sentenced to 58 years in prison.
In his book “Blood Money,” Author Peter Schweizer accuses China of deliberately enabling this concerning trade. He suggests that China’s inaction reflects a calculated strategy, mirroring the historical “Century of Humiliation” narratives. He claims Chinese authorities fail to address online sales of these devices and employ deceptive labeling tactics like “multitool switches” or “handcrafted pieces” to evade U.S. law enforcement scrutiny.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported a staggering 570% increase in seized switches between 2017 and 2021 compared to the previous five years. This data aligns with reports from local law enforcement. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore, for instance, highlighted more than 80 cases in the past two years involving illegally modified firearms used in violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, and witness intimidation.
Schweizer further criticizes the perceived lack of concrete action by the U.S. government to address the source of this problem. He highlights the disparity between the strong warnings issued to China regarding potential arms sales to Russia and the perceived inaction regarding this issue.
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