The US Department of Justice is turning to the 3D printing industry to help combat the scourge of machine gun conversion devices (MCDs) used by criminals to turn semi-automatic firearms into deadly bullet sprayers.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco made the request Friday during [1]remarks announcing wider joint efforts between the DoJ and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to address the spread of MCDs. According to Monaco, these devices are the most frequently recovered type of illegal firearm today.

Whether Monaco meant a full firearm with an MCD or just an MCD itself (classified "as an illegal machine gun") wasn't clear from the AG's statements though we've asked for clarification. These devices, also known as "switches" or "auto sears," can be [2]smaller than a USB flash drive and made of just a single piece of plastic.

[3]

According to the ATF, seizure of MCDs [4]increased by more than 500 percent between 2017 and 2021.

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[6]

"They're cheap. They're not hard to manufacture, often with 3D printers. And they've been proliferating for years," Monaco said. "Given the clear danger MCDs pose to our communities, today, I am issuing a Department-wide directive, and we are taking action to confront this rising threat."

Monaco said that the DoJ and ATF were teaming up on a new Action Network to Terminate Illegal Machinegun Conversion Devices (ANTI-MCD) committee that will work to coordinate MCD enforcement actions and improve law enforcement knowledge of MCD technology.

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The ATF will also be spearheading a training program to help law enforcement agencies learn how to detect and respond to MCDs, and will be designating a national MCD coordinator at the Bureau as well. District attorneys across the US have also been directed to prioritize MCD enforcement and prosecution and to meet with their law enforcement affiliates to identify local priorities.

In Oklahoma, where the US Attorney in the Western District has already been prioritizing MCD prosecutions, 40 individuals were charged in less than a year. Before the initiative, only eight people were charged for similar crimes between 2020 and 2022.

Whether those prosecutions simply coincided with increased use of the tech aside, Monaco said, "Switches aren't appearing like they used to on [Oklahoma] streets or on social media."

A little help here?

We've written no shortage of stories at The Register about 3D printed [8]ghost guns , people [9]3D printing gun parts , and the [10]court saga around the legal status of sharing 3D printable gun blueprints being available online. Amidst all that reporting, one thing is clear: With a reasonably cheap off-the-shelf 3D printer you can turn a semi-automatic handgun into a full-auto one.

[11]MIT breakthrough means there's no material too weird for 3D printing

[12]Leaked Guntrader firearms data file shared. Worst case scenario? Criminals plot UK gun owners' home addresses in Google Earth

[13]ESA prints 3D metal shape in space for first time

[14]Bloke thrown in the cooler for eight years after 3D-printing gun to dodge weapon ban

"We need to engage software developers, technology experts, and leaders in the 3D printing industry to identify solutions in this fight," Monaco said. "You know your industries and this technology better than anyone.

"We will keep at this work - trying to stop the proliferation of MCDs. Our ask is … that you do the same."

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New York [16]considered a law that would require background checks for the purchase of 3D printers, but the bill would do nothing to account for previously-sold printers or resales, and appears to have stalled.

We reached out to the ATF and DoJ to learn more about the announcements, but haven't heard back. ®

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[1] https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/deputy-attorney-general-lisa-monaco-delivers-remarks-combating-production-unlawful

[2] https://cnn.com/videos/us/2022/08/30/auto-sear-machine-gun-converter-investigation-shot-spotter-orig.cnn

[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Zt_EZfIJtK6Z1C2LyflgdgAAAYY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[4] https://www.atf.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-attorney-and-atf-discuss-emerging-threat-machinegun-conversion-devices

[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Zt_EZfIJtK6Z1C2LyflgdgAAAYY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Zt_EZfIJtK6Z1C2LyflgdgAAAYY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Zt_EZfIJtK6Z1C2LyflgdgAAAYY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/09/supreme_court_ghost_guns/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/02/3d_printing_guns/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/29/appeals_court_nixes_ban_on/

[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/15/3d_printers_mit/

[12] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/31/guntrader_breach_csv_danger/

[13] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/06/esa_metal_3d_printing/

[14] https://www.theregister.com/2019/02/15/texas_3d_gun/

[15] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Zt_EZfIJtK6Z1C2LyflgdgAAAYY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[16] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/17/3d_printer_purchases_could_require/

[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/