Glock Switch Panic: Much Ado About Nothing

Phoenix, AZ—Before the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, anyone could legally own a machine gun. You could even order one by mail and have it delivered right to your door. After 1934, machine guns were regulated, requiring a $200 tax stamp for legal ownership—a steep price at the time. Some folks complied, but many didn’t, leaving plenty of unregistered machine guns in circulation. And guess what? They haven’t been a problem, with most serving as a quiet fuck you to government overreach.

The NFA’s registration and taxation requirements are afundamentally at odds with the Second Amendment. The recent Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111 (2022), underscores this by reaffirming that firearm regulations must align with the historical tradition of the Second Amendment—not arbitrary, burdensome schemes like those imposed by the NFA.

That said, I’ve never been a fan of fully automatic firearms. They’re an expensive way to burn through ammunition. If I were to use one, it’d be limited to two- or three-round bursts. Prolonged full-auto fire not only wastes ammo but also accelerates destruction of the firearm itself.

In the 1950s through the 1970s, converting firearms to full-auto was straightforward. The M1 .30-caliber carbine, for instance, could be modified with just an easily obtained selector switch and a spring. Despite how simple this was, these converted carbines were rarely, if ever, used in crimes.

Fast-forward to today, and the so-called “threat” is the Glock switch—a small piece of metal or 3D-printed plastic that converts a semi-automatic Glock into a fully automatic weapon. The designs for these switches are freely available online, and 3D printers are becoming more affordable and effective. China has long been producing high-quality metal switches, and despite Customs and Border Protection’s efforts, plenty of these devices slip through and wind up in the U.S.

The BATFE has gone full tilt on Glock switches, treating their possession as a major crime and judges are handing out draconian sentences. But let’s not kid ourselves—these devices are only popular because they’re considered by BATFE as illegal.

In practical terms, using a Glock switch is more trouble than it’s worth. You can’t take it to a local gun range , and firing one outdoors almost guarantees a police response. Without practice, good luck using it effectively in a real-world scenario. The uncontrollable recoil of a fully automatic pistol makes accuracy laughable, and at today’s ammunition prices, it’s just not worth it. A semi-automatic handgun is far more practical and effective.  

The BATFE’s obsession with Glock switches is just another overblown panic. Yes, seizures of these devices are increasing, but their use in actual crimes remains rare. This isn’t about public safety; it’s about inflating the government’s authority and control.

For those serious about self-defense, stick with a semi-auto handgun and focus on proper training. And don’t forget, criminals are generally clueless. These are people who couldn’t hack it in middle school, let alone master the mechanics of a firearm.

Reality bites:  I’ve made an Internet search for the necessary programs to make a Glock switch with a common 3-D printer, and there was no shortage of them whatsoever.  These sites and their information are protected, of course by our First Amendment.  

So, to the BATFE and their self-righteous crusade: calm down. This is a manufactured issue. Fuck you and your unwarranted hysteria.