Law enforcement officials held a news conference in Massachusetts after an investigation seized over 350 website domains used to import illegal firearm components from China.
BOSTON (WWLP) – Law enforcement officials held a news conference in Massachusetts after an investigation seized over 350 website domains used to import illegal firearm components from China.
According to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), federal and state law enforcement authorities are warning the public about the dangers of these firearms components that are being bought illegally online. In a joint cyber investigation, a ring of Chinese websites illegally importing machine gun conversion devices and silencers to the United States was dismantled.
Over 700 devices were seized that could convert a firearm into a machine gun, 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, and 36 long guns. HSI says possession of machine gun conversion devices and their importation from certain countries, including China, are prohibited under the National Firearms Act.
Law enforcement agencies are continuing their efforts to identify, disrupt, and dismantle weapons trafficking networks. Since 2018, 667 arrests have been made in connection with the illegal importation and trafficking of MCDs as well as silencers and suppressors.
If you have any information related to illegal firearms components, contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP, callers may remain anonymous.
“With a collective voice, we issue a stern warning about the illegal purchase, sale, possession and use of machine gun conversion devices. The prevalence and availability of these devices is a public safety threat, not only to our communities, but to those law enforcement officers sworn to protect them. Sadly, this is not solely a Massachusetts, or a New England problem, but a matter of national significance,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “To address this threat, we are using every tool and partnership in our arsenal, and we stand united in law enforcement alongside our local, state and federal prosecutors to ensure the safety and security of our communities.”
“Machine conversion devices, also known as auto sears or switches, pose an increasing and grave threat to public safety. These small, easily concealed devices can transform semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, drastically amplifying their destructive potential,” said Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson of the ATF Boston Field Division. “These devices are illegal under federal law for a reason. While a semi-automatic firearm fires one round per trigger pull, a conversion device allows multiple rounds to be fired with a single pull, effectively converting it into a machine gun—often with devastating results. ATF, in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, remains fully committed to removing these dangerous devices from our streets to protect our communities and prevent further tragedy.”
“As law enforcement officers we have an inherent duty to protect the public from dangerous people and things. The federal and state partners represented here today have worked collaboratively to identify and deliver consequences to the networks and suppliers of illegal firearms and firearms parts that plague our community,” said Michael Manning, Assistant Director Border Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office.
“Today’s event highlights the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to protecting our mail stream from illegal contraband that threatens our neighborhoods,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. “Firearm switches and silencers have no business being illegally shipped via the U.S. Mail. Our collaboration with our federal and state law-enforcement partners assures us that this type of crime will not go unnoticed. We will continue to seek out those who exploit the U.S Mail, endanger our employees and the communities we serve.”
“As our country grapples with an ongoing crisis of gun violence, the Massachusetts State Police and the Attorney General’s Office share a mission to protect the public from the dangers of illegal firearms,” said Detective Lieutenant Timothy Babbin of the Attorney General’s Office Mass State Police Unit. “We cannot do this work alone and will continue to work with local, state and federal partners to keep our communities safe.”
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