GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — A Lansing man has been handed a 46-month prison sentence for converting a handgun into a fully automatic firearm using a machinegun conversion device. Michael Andrew Thomas, 20, was sentenced by U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for possessing what is legally classified as a machinegun.
‘Gun violence inflicts senseless suffering and lasting trauma on our communities,’ said Totten. ‘The prevalence of machinegun conversion devices is an especially concerning trend. Offenders beware: possess these devices and you face the very real prospect of federal prosecution.’
Thomas was arrested in January 2024 following a search warrant at his residence, where police discovered a converted handgun with an extended magazine loaded with 34 rounds of ammunition. The gun had been modified using a conversion device, commonly referred to as a ‘switch,’ which converts it into a machinegun.
Thomas previously faced charges for carjacking and assault with a dangerous weapon in 2023, leading to his arrest during a traffic stop where he possessed another stolen firearm with a conversion device. Forensic evidence from Thomas’ cell phone suggested involvement in the trafficking of such devices and firearms.
‘Machine gun conversion devices are not firearm accessories but machineguns under federal law,’ said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. ‘Mr. Thomas deliberately chose to illegally possess and advertise an illegally modified firearm. These devices are a clear and present danger to public safety and will be investigated and prosecuted as such.’
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate remains high despite slight declines since 2021. Resources on safe storage of firearms can be found through the U.S. Department of Justice, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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