7 pistols with 'glock switches' recovered in last 6 months, MPD on high alert

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — The Mobile Police Department is on high alert, asking the public to be aware of 'glock switches.' It's a small device that converts a normally semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic firearm.

The MPD said this is something everyone should be worried about. The MPD has already recovered seven pistols with 'glock switches' in the last six months.

"The switch attaches to the rear of the slide and when the trigger is depressed, and the slide goes backwards instead of it resetting, the switch does not allow the slide to reset," MPD Sgt. John Young said.

Young said this device is a concern and there's no stopping it now, they're already here in Mobile.

On Wednesday, Trenteon King was indicted in federal court for allegedly having a 'glock chip' attached to the gun he used at a shooting in March. In an unrelated incident, another man was also indicted this week for having an AR-15 modified to work as a machine gun. That gun was also not registered in the first place, according to officials. Both of them are now facing up to 10 years in prison.

Young said the fact that these devices are sold online and there's no regulation behind it is the biggest issue.

"The manufacturers know full well what these devices are used for and it is causing not only problems within our city, but several cities across the nation," Young said.

That type of fire power is a problem and has officers on edge.

"With an extended magazine of 30 rounds, you now have a hand gun firing 30 rounds in a matter of seconds," Young said.

Young said the greater issue though is that it's being used in untrained hands.

"It's hard enough for well-trained police, SWAT officers, to control a fully-automatic weapon, but imagine a teenager, with a fully automatic weapon, no training, hyped up on drugs and emotion," Young said.

MPD said there needs to be national outcry about it, calling on local legislators to take action.