LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Kentucky is one of the top two states where police seized machine gun conversion devices last year, with nearly 600 confiscated. Law enforcement believe that number is an undercount.
The devices, which can convert pistols into automatic weapons, were unheard of six years ago. Now criminals are using 3D-printed plastic pieces to create machine guns in seconds.
Rapid-fire capability concerns police
“Most of our shootings happen with pistols, pistols are easily concealable, and it is easily carried on the street,” said Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey.
Police demonstrated how quickly the devices can be produced and used. A 3D printer can create a machine gun conversion device in 40 minutes. Once installed, a weapon can fire 30 rounds in under two seconds…