NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) —The Metro Nashville Police Department says they're seeing more illegal devices that turn handguns into automatic weapons.

The conversion devices, also known as Glock switches, are on the streets of Nashville.

"They're in our community and we have to do something about it," said Robert McGuire, the Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

McGuire explained to News 2 why the devices are so dangerous and how the firepower puts innocent bystanders at risk.

"You could be firing 14 bullets in less than a second," he explained. "It makes the pistol extraordinary hard to control."

According to the MNPD, over the last few years there's been a steady increase of Glock switches recovered by the department. So far, in 2025, they've recovered 25.

Meanwhile, in 2024, 41 Glock switches were found, which is a 95% increase from 2022, when there were 21 converters recovered.

News 2 spoke with McGuire about holding those found with the devices accountable. He said the people who have Glock switches are usually involved in other crimes, like gang activity and narcotics.

"It gives them the ability to carry a machine gun in their pocket, it makes them feel stronger or tougher when they're out committing crimes," McGuire said.

People are reportedly committing crimes with the small device that can be easy to find and make. McGuire believes interrupting the distribution of Glock switches would make Nashville streets more safe, but it's difficult. Despite that, Metro police and Middle Tennessee attorneys are working to reduce violence and get the devices out of the hands of felons.

"If you are possessing one of these dangerous items, we are going to find you, prosecute you, and you are going to go to prison," McGuire warned.

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the number of suspected conversion devices recovered in crimes and subsequently traced by ATF has increased rapidly, with more than a 784% increase in recoveries and traces between 2019 (658) and 2023 (5,816).

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/mnpd-sees-increase-in-small-device-that-can-change-handgun-into-automatic-weapon/