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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Federal law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm about switches, describing them as “a plague to our community.”
So, what exactly is a switch? It’s an inch-long device that converts a semi-automatic gun into a fully automatic weapon. attended a demonstration this morning, where a representative from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) showcased how the device alters a pistol.
During the demonstration, the ATF representative fired 15 rounds from a semi-automatic gun, taking just under four seconds to complete. In contrast, a pistol equipped with a switch fired the same number of rounds in just 0.64 seconds.
“These switches are just a simple piece of plastic,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Mike Weddel. “They’re 3D printed or often imported from other countries.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that the use of switches, typically inserted into the butt of a gun, is increasing in Texas. Texas-based ATF agents have confiscated 991 switches between 2017 and 2023, with 490 of those occurring in 2023 alone.
The Houston area has experienced firsthand the devastation these devices can cause. In September 2021, Houston Police Department Officer William Jeffrey was killed by a gun equipped with a switch. In January 2022, three HPD officers were shot by a modified gun near downtown Houston.
“It is a machine that causes death and destruction without much precision,” said Alamdar Hamdani, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “That’s scary.”
Hamdani announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with Crime Stoppers in an initiative called “Operation Texas Kill Switch.” This initiative runs through the end of August and offers rewards to anonymous citizens whose information leads to the arrest of someone possessing a switch.
If you have information related to this initiative, you can contact Crime Stoppers of Houston. Information leading to the arrest and/or charging of felony suspects may result in a cash reward of up to $5,000. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, tipsters must contact Crime Stoppers directly by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitting an online tip, or using the Crime Stoppers mobile app.