Texas Authorities Announce Program Targeting Illegal Glock Switches

This week, Texas authorities announced a new initiative called “Operation Texas Kill Switch.” The program aims to stem the flow of illegal “Glock switches,” devices that can quickly turn a regular Glock pistol into a machine gun.

A Glock Switch can turn a legal Glock like this one into an illegal machine gun.

What is Operation Texas Kill Switch

On June 10, 2024, the Texas US Attorneys Office announced that it would be launching a new program, “Operation Texas Kill Switch.” Officials hope that this new plan will help reduce the number of illegal Glock switches in Texas.

Operation Kill Switch has two main strategies right now. They are:

1. Education and Support: the initiative’s first tactic is to educate law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for Glock switches. Local- and state-level authorities in Texas are also going to be partnering with the ATF.
2. Teaming Up With Local Organizations: Texas authorities will establish partnerships with local CrimeStoppers chapters to deliver information to police. Citizens who provide useful intel to authorities can receive cash prizes up to $5,000.

Glock switches are already illegal nationwide. They’re classified as machine guns under the National Firearms Act, and as a result, civilians are banned from having them with a few caveats. Texas Kill Switch won’t be creating any new laws or rules, just enforcing current ones.

The program hopes to tackle the increasing number of Glock switches on the streets. From 2017 until 2023, the ATF seized 991 Glock switches. About half of those switches – 490 total – came from operations within the last year.

The Big Picture

Texas Kill Switch is just the latest in a recent string of initiatives targeting Glock switches. Maryland passed a law making Glock switches illegal by name, and New York lawmakers are mulling over similar legislation.

Law enforcement definitely has their work cut out for them. Glock switches are extremely cheap to manufacture. Enterprising criminals can even make them with a 3D printer.

They’re also lucrative merchandise for underground arms dealers. While it takes about 8 cents to produce a Glock switch, the devices can fetch up to $400 on the black market, according to Texas police.

Glock switches are also openly sold on social media. After advertising their switches, sellers receive electronic payments from their customers. Then, they send a Glock switch out in the mail.

Some states, like California have already passed laws making it illegal to produce firearm parts on a 3D printer. But with how difficult it is to enforce these kinds of laws, their impact may be limited.

We’ll see what the future holds for Operation Texas Kill Switch. Stay tuned.