Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
A Brentwood resident, Noah Kanaye Bauer, aged 21, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun conversion device. Bauer was taken into custody yesterday and appeared in federal district court in Oakland this morning.
Court documents unsealed today reveal that on September 6, 2024, Brentwood Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a report of an individual with a firearm at a grocery store in Brentwood. Officers found Bauer carrying a 3D printed Glock-style firearm without a serial number. A subsequent search of his home led to the discovery of a 3D printing machine, three 3D printed pistol frames, and a 3D printed machine gun conversion device.
The criminal complaint explains that these devices, known as "switches" or "auto sears," are intended to convert semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic machine guns. When questioned by BPD officers about the purpose of these devices, Bauer allegedly said they were "to make it shoot faster."
Bauer is scheduled for another court appearance on March 17, 2025, for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.
Bauer faces one count under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). The charges indicate alleged crimes but presume all defendants innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing would follow consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant federal statutes.
The case is prosecuted by the National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office following an investigation by the FBI with support from the BPD and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
