Recap of APA’s Virtual National Summit on Machinegun Conversion Devices
In November 2024, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) hosted a Virtual National Summit on Machinegun Conversion Devices: Defining the Threat and Taking Action. The summit addressed the significant rise in gun violence linked to the proliferation of machine gun conversion devices, particularly “Glock switches” or “auto sears.” It also provided a collaborative platform to explore solutions, with the ultimate goal of reducing the prevalence of these lethal devices.
This summit brought together leading federal and local prosecutors, law enforcement officials, legal and public policy experts, engineers, and other stakeholders to address the emerging public safety and health threat posed by machinegun conversion devices (MCDs). “These easily accessible devices are making gun violence more lethal than ever. Our summit displayed a wide range of practical strategies that prosecutors, law enforcement and policy makers can use to make our communities safer,” said APA CEO Nichole Parisi.
“These easily accessible devices are making gun violence more lethal than ever. Our summit displayed a wide range of practical strategies that prosecutors, law enforcement and policy makers can use to make our communities safer,” said APA CEO Nichole Parisi.
Part One: Defining the Threat
The first session, held on November 12, focused on understanding the threat posed by MCDs. The discussions were enlightening and insightful, covering the federal government’s approach to the issue, the science behind the increased lethality of gun violence due to MCDs, and the perspective of state and local authorities. The session concluded with a strong emphasis on the importance of cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
Part Two: Taking Action
The second session, on November 19, focused on actionable strategies to combat MCDs. Participants compared and contrasted state legislative approaches, discussed strategies to curb the online sale of MCDs, and explored legal avenues to hold manufacturers and sellers accountable. The session also placed significant emphasis on public education and innovative responses to address the growing threat.
Highlights and Key Takeaways
“This is a huge issue impacting every jurisdiction throughout the country. The summit was a crucial step, with participants across the nation learning about model practices from experts offering real solutions. Now we’ve got to build on the lessons we learned and take action to stop this deadly trend,” said State’s Attorney Braveboy (Prince George’s County, MD), who facilitated the discussion on both days. The summit served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and the development of actionable solutions. The engaging discussions provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of the threat and attendees explored proactive measures to mitigate the spread of MCDs within their communities. Special thanks to State’s Attorney Braveboy, moderator, and all our panelists:
- Chief Jeffrey Norman of Milwaukee Police Department
- Chief Antoinette Ursitti of Chicago Police Department
- District Attorney Hillar Moore (East Baton Rouge, LA)
- District Attorney Kevin Steele (Montgomery County, PA)
- R. Dewith Carrier (LA)
- Jo Anne Simon (NY)
- The University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Jens Ludwig
- Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Texas U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton
- Attorneys Lekha Menon of Giffords Law Center and Eric Tirschwell of Everytown Law
- Engineering Professor Solomon Diamond of Dartmouth University
The engaging discussions provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of the threat and attendees explored proactive measures to mitigate the spread of MCDs within their communities.
Building on the momentum from the summit, in 2025, APA will publish a comprehensive document detailing the scope of the problem, actionable approaches, and lessons learned from the Summit, to provide policy solutions and practical guidance to address this growing threat to public safety across the country.
If you have questions, or to learn more, please contact Marlene Biener at marlene.biener@APAInc.org.