Illegal gun parts from China seized by US authorities

US authorities have taken down over 350 websites selling gun silencers and parts from China used to convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns. The move follows an investigation that started in August 2023, targeting illegal sales of these dangerous devices.

Undercover operations revealed shipments from China, falsely labelled as items such as ‘necklaces’ or ‘toys’. Instead, these packages contained machine gun conversion devices, known as ‘switches’, and ‘silencers’, both banned under the National Firearms Act. Some websites even sold counterfeit goods, misusing the trademark of gun manufacturer Glock Inc.

Acting US Attorney Joshua Levy emphasised the importance of seizing these websites to halt the influx of illegal and dangerous contraband. Law enforcement has so far seized over 700 machine gun conversion devices, 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, and 46 long guns.

Officials highlighted the growing problem of such devices being easily accessible, posing a serious threat to public safety. The seizures are part of a broader effort to tackle the illegal gun parts trade and protect communities.