Texas U.S. Attorneys Unleash ‘Operation Texas Kill Switch’ on Machinegun Conversion Devices

San Antonio, TX – In a bold move to take down the scourge of machinegun conversion devices, also known as ‘switches,’ Texas U.S. Attorneys Jaime Esparza, Leigha Simonton, Alamdar Hamdani, and Damien Diggs announced ‘Operation Texas Kill Switch,’ a statewide initiative aimed at eradicating these deadly devices from the Lone Star State.

At simultaneous press conferences throughout the state, the U.S. Attorneys were joined by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) Special Agents in Charge Jeffrey Boshek and Michael Weddel, and ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper to lambast the dangers of switches. These tiny devices, often made of metal or plastic and manufactured using 3D printers, can transform commercially available firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing faster than military-grade M4s.

“As U.S. Attorneys and federal law enforcement agents, our offices have been investigating and prosecuting switches for many years, but as the problem continues to escalate, we are determined to do more,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Operation Kill Switch has two main goals. We encourage state and local law enforcement to be on the lookout for machinegun conversion devices, and we urge the public to report switches to law enforcement.”

According to ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel, “Today’s important initiative is aimed at raising awareness of illegal machine gun conversation devices also known as ‘switches.’” He warned that these devices pose a serious threat to law enforcement and the community, and that simply possessing one is a federal crime.

The U.S. Attorneys announced that as part of Operation Texas Kill Switch, they are partnering with Crime Stopper programs statewide to combat the proliferation of these illegal devices. From now until August 31, local Crime Stopper programs will offer cash rewards for information leading to the apprehension or prosecution of those who possess switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them.

U.S. Attorneys Esparza, Simonton, Hamdani, and Diggs also urged local law enforcement to partner with the feds on switch cases, which carry maximum sentences of up to 10 years in the federal system. They laid out their case in a joint op-ed published Monday in the Austin American Statesman.