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In a sweeping effort to enforce the National Firearms Act, U.S. prosecutors announced the seizure of over 350 internet domains involved in selling illegal gun parts, including devices to convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns.

According to authorities, these websites operated in violation of federal law, particularly the restrictions under the National Firearms Act, which makes it illegal to possess or import such firearm conversion devices.

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Gun Parts Websites Under Investigation

According to a statement by U.S. prosecutors the investigation into these illicit sales has been ongoing since August 2023. The targeted websites were largely based in China, and undercover operations uncovered significant illegal activity.

Packages containing illegal gun parts were shipped from China, falsely labeled with innocuous descriptions such as “necklace” or “toys.” These deceptive tactics were intended to mislead customs inspections and facilitate the illegal importation of contraband.

Many of these websites also misused trademarks from major firearm manufacturers, including Glock Inc., to falsely claim that the illegal parts, known as "switches," were manufactured by reputable companies.

“The seizure of these domains is a critical step in disrupting the flow of dangerous contraband that threatens public safety,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy of Massachusetts.

Seized Gun Parts and Devices

As a result of the probe, law enforcement has confiscated a significant number of illegal firearms and parts. Over 700 machine gun conversion devices, 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, and 46 long guns were seized.

Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, emphasized the threat these devices pose to public safety, stating, “The proliferation of readily available devices which allow the illegal manufacturing of machine guns is a plague on our communities.”

National Firearms Act and Federal Law

The National Firearms Act (NFA) plays a critical role in regulating firearm-related contraband.

Under this law, machine gun conversion devices like “switches” and silencers are strictly prohibited from being imported into the United States.

The NFA was amended in 1986 to further regulate silencers, adding combinations of parts for silencer construction to the list of prohibited items. It also imposed a ban on the transfer and possession of machine guns, with limited exceptions for government agencies and individuals who lawfully owned such weapons prior to May 19, 1986.