Yesterday I receive at least two separate alerts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E). This is a rare thing and I thought maybe they were announcing everyone there saw the handwriting on the wall and were picking up the Trump/DOJ/OPM initiative to resign by today, or announcing they were being taken over by the “New FBI”.
No such luck on either count.
Turns out “This is an important message” merely stated all FFLs should be aware Machinegun Conversion Devices (MCDs), “is a part, or a combination of parts, designed to modify a semi-automatic firearm so it is capable of firing automatically more than one shot by a single function of the trigger.”
“These devices, often called switches, chips, auto sears are considered machineguns under the law. The possession, manufacture, and/or sale of machinegun conversion devices without proper licensing is a federal offense. ” and “These devices are defined as machineguns under the National Firearms Act, even when not installed. We encourage FFLs who encounter these devices to immediately contact your local law enforcement office or nearest ATF office.”
Gee, when you think you’d heard the last of Captain Obvious he now crops up inside gov messages. Thanks Captain Obvious.
So an FFL should notify LEO or ATF, and then what? They’d probably prosecute them.