Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks on Combatting Illegal Machinegun Conversion Devices
On September 6, 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco addressed the growing threat posed by machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” which can transform standard firearms into automatic weapons. Speaking in Washington, D.C., Monaco highlighted the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat the spread of these illegal devices, which are contributing to increased violence in communities across the United States.
Monaco announced the creation of the Action Network to Terminate Illegal Machinegun Conversion Devices (ANTI-MCD), a new task force co-chaired by the ATF and U.S. Attorneys. The initiative aims to enhance coordination, intelligence gathering, and prosecution efforts to curb the proliferation of MCDs. Additionally, she revealed the launch of a national training initiative to equip law enforcement and prosecutors with the tools needed to confront this emerging threat.
Despite recent declines in violent crime, Monaco stressed that MCDs remain a significant danger, with many devices being cheaply produced using 3-D printers or imported from overseas markets. The Justice Department will focus on disrupting both domestic and international sources of these devices to prevent their use by criminals.
Monaco called on industry, academia, and technology leaders to work together in this fight, emphasizing that collaboration is crucial to protecting communities from the devastation caused by illegal firearms.
September 6, 2024
Sources: Midtown Tribune news, Justice.gov
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