Democrats Introduce Bill to Prevent Importation of Gun Conversion Devices
Four Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent the importation of devices which convert semiautomatic weapons into fully-automatic ones.
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Reps. Sean Casten, D-Ill., and Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduced the Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act on March 17. U.S. The legislation is intended to "combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices," according to a press release from Casten.
The bill would require the departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Treasury to "develop a coordinated national strategy to prevent or intercept the importation and trafficking of automatic gun conversion devices" and to subject the profits from sales of the devices to forfeiture.
“We must address the alarming prevalence of gun conversion devices that can turn ordinary hand guns into automatic weapons. These devices that can be easily 3-D printed or cheaply purchased online have devastating consequences for public safety,” Klobuchar said. “By preventing the importation and trafficking of these deadly devices and by stopping traffickers from profiting from illegal sales, this legislation will help keep our communities safe and save lives.”
The bill has been endorsed by gun violence advocacy groups Giffords Law Center and Brady: United Against Gun Violence.