Gun Conversion Devices: A Growing Threat to Public Safety
Gun Conversion Devices: A Growing Threat to Public Safety
Gun conversion devices, also known as auto sears, have become a rare point of bipartisan agreement on gun policy.
Gun conversion devices, also known as auto sears, have become a rare point of bipartisan agreement on gun policy.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law banning auto sears in the state, becoming the 26th state to outlaw the devices.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law banning auto sears in the state, becoming the 26th state to outlaw the devices.
Auto sear devices can be 3D printed or bought online for as little as $20 and are often used with Glock handguns.
Auto sear devices can be 3D printed or bought online for as little as $20 and are often used with Glock handguns.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an auto sear ban into law in February as part of a broader public safety package.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an auto sear ban into law in February as part of a broader public safety package.
The number of machine gun conversion devices recovered at crime scenes nationwide increased by 784% between 2019 and 2023.
The number of machine gun conversion devices recovered at crime scenes nationwide increased by 784% between 2019 and 2023.
Possession of an unregistered auto sear device can carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
Possession of an unregistered auto sear device can carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
Gun rights groups argue that state-level auto sear bans are unnecessary because the devices are already illegal under federal law.
Gun rights groups argue that state-level auto sear bans are unnecessary because the devices are already illegal under federal law.
Alabama's auto sear ban comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Birmingham last September in which the devices were used.
Alabama's auto sear ban comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Birmingham last September in which the devices were used.
New Jersey is considering enacting an auto sear ban, with the General Assembly approving the measure in late March.
New Jersey is considering enacting an auto sear ban, with the General Assembly approving the measure in late March.
The federal ban on auto sears has been in place since 1934, but state-level bans have been growing in response to the devices' increasing use in crimes.
The federal ban on auto sears has been in place since 1934, but state-level bans have been growing in response to the devices' increasing use in crimes.