Damien Jax Schaffer, a 45-year-old resident of Tucson, Arizona, was arrested on June 24, 2025. The arrest was made by special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Schaffer faces charges for engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and possession of an unregistered firearm. His initial court appearance took place today.
The criminal complaint states that between May 8 and June 24, 2025, ATF monitored Schaffer's activities. It was discovered that he manufactured and sold 15 illegal machinegun conversion devices. These devices enable semi-automatic firearms like Glocks to fire multiple projectiles with a single trigger pull, effectively turning them into machineguns.
According to regulations, machinegun conversion devices must be registered with the ATF in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. An investigation revealed that none of Schaffer's devices were registered. Additionally, it was found that Schaffer did not have a federal license to sell firearms.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative aims to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. The operation consolidates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
It is important to note that a criminal complaint serves as a formal charge but does not imply guilt. An individual remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by evidence presented to a jury.
The ATF is leading the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson is responsible for prosecution.
