U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago seized 473 shipments containing a total of 1,507 weapon-modifying devices throughout 2024. These devices, known as "Glock switches," convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons.
Between January and June, CBP intercepted 155 shipments with 354 Glock switches. The number increased significantly in July, August, and September, with officers seizing 241 shipments containing 948 switches. Most of these illegal items originated from China and were destined for various locations across the United States.
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations at the Chicago Field Office, stated: “These seizures clearly illustrate how closely CBP examines import manifests and identifies items that could potentially harm our nation or our citizens. Using their targeting experience, they’re able to consistently spot new shipping trends and keep these dangerous devices out of the hands of criminals. There are reasons these items are illegal.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) restricts the importation of these conversion switches due to their ability to allow a handgun to fire automatically by holding down the trigger. Many seized devices were undeclared or mis-manifested and lacked necessary ATF importation approvals.
CBP's border security mission is carried out at 328 ports of entry by officers from the Office of Field Operations. The agency emphasizes its role in protecting America through safe travel and trade facilitation while enhancing national security.
For more information about CBP’s operations or to follow updates from the Chicago office on social media platforms like X or YouTube, visit www.CBP.gov.
