Law enforcement authorities and specialists express significant worries regarding a rise in illicit firearm alterations associated with China. Referred to as Glock switches or auto sear switches, these modifications convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic arms, circumventing a longstanding legal restriction intended to prevent such weapons from reaching the civilian market.
These compact, easily hidden alterations, conveniently purchasable online for about $50, pose substantial worries for public safety. They enable uninterrupted firing with just one trigger pull. Incidents involving these adapted firearms have already garnered attention in tragic news stories, as emphasized in Peter Schweizer’s publication “Blood Money.”
A notable incident occurred when Paul Kutz, a 53-year-old accountant, was fatally shot by a masked assailant wielding an altered handgun in Poughkeepsie, New York. The perpetrator, Roy Johnson, discharged 30 rounds, hitting Kutz in critical areas, leading to his demise. Johnson was later convicted and sentenced to 58 years behind bars.
In “Blood Money,” Peter Schweizer alleges that China plays a deliberate role in facilitating this troubling commerce. He proposes that China’s lack of action signifies a strategic decision, echoing narratives of the historical “Century of Humiliation.” Schweizer asserts that Chinese officials neglect to tackle the online distribution of these devices and utilize misleading labeling methods such as multitool switches or artisanal components to avoid detection by U.S. law enforcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) documented a remarkable 570% surge in confiscated switches from 2017 to 2021 compared to the preceding five-year period. This information corresponds with findings from regional law enforcement. For example, East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore emphasized over 80 instances in the last two years alone, wherein unlawfully altered firearms were employed in violent offenses like homicide, attempted murder, and witness intimidation.
Schweizer also condemns what he sees as the absence of decisive measures taken by the U.S. government to tackle the root cause of this issue. He underscores the contrast between the stern warnings directed at China concerning potential weapon sales to Russia and the perceived lack of action on this matter.
