US Authorities Seize Over 350 Websites Selling Illegal Guns and Parts

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Law Enforcement Action

Law enforcement officials in the United States have seized more than 350 websites that allegedly were used to sell illegal gun switches and silencers imported from China, it was announced yesterday.

What are Gun Switches and Silencers?

Switches transform semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic ones, while silencers suppress the sound of a firearm when it is discharged.

Counterfeit Goods

Some of the websites also dealt in counterfeit goods, including switches they advertised as being produced by Glock, but Glock has never manufactured switches, federal authorities said.

Investigation and Seizure

Federal prosecutors in Boston said they had been investigating websites, businesses and people offering to illegally sell and import machine gun conversion devices. Undercover purchases from those websites of gun-related items, resulted in packages mailed from China with labels that falsely described their contents as containing materials like a “necklace” or “toys,” prosecutors said.

The contraband was then allegedly shipped from China to U.S. government-controlled mailboxes in the U.S.

Quote from Special Agent in Charge

“These websites represent a large-scale, organized effort to import illegal switches and silencers that turn ordinary firearms into deadly automatic weapons,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Quote from Inspector in Charge

“HSI has worked diligently with our partners to systematically dismantle this network of websites to uphold our nation’s import laws and to preserve public safety,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, inspector in charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.

Results of the Investigation

The results of this investigation have, to date, resulted in the seizure of over 700 devices which would covert a firearm into a machine gun, 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, 36 long guns, as well as the seizure of 355 websites which were used to facilitate the trafficking of these items.

International Cooperation

Caribbean nations have been working together in recent months to formulate an across-the-board approach to criminals importing guns from the US, and will welcome this investigation as a small move towards preventing illegal transhipments of weapons in the hemisphere.

Conclusion

The seizure of these websites and the subsequent investigation and seizure of illegal guns and parts is a significant step towards preventing the illegal trafficking of weapons in the US and the hemisphere.

FAQs

Q: What were the websites selling?
A: The websites were selling illegal gun switches and silencers imported from China.

Q: What is the purpose of gun switches and silencers?
A: Gun switches transform semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic ones, while silencers suppress the sound of a firearm when it is discharged.

Q: Who was involved in the investigation?
A: Federal prosecutors in Boston, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were involved in the investigation.

Q: What were the results of the investigation?
A: The results of the investigation included the seizure of over 700 devices which would covert a firearm into a machine gun, 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, 36 long guns, as well as the seizure of 355 websites which were used to facilitate the trafficking of these items.