A traffic stop led to the discovery of a Glock handgun that had been illegally modified to fire as if it were fully automatic, according to Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.
Saturday night deputies pulled over a Lincoln Town Car that was northbound on Highway 45 with no headlights. The odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle, and a search revealed an open container of beer, marijuana and an illegally modified .40-caliber Glock.
The gun was equipped with a so-called Glock switch, Hawkins said. The modification, also called a “chip” or “auto sear,” can be installed in Glock handguns. Instead of firing one round per trigger pull, the weapon will continue to fire at a high rate as long as the trigger is pressed.
The modifications are not made by Glock, Hawkins said.
“Glock does not manufacture anything like this,” he said. “But if you order one from China or Russia, it’s made of the same materials the handgun is made from and even has the embossed logo on them. But importing them into the US is a federal offense.”
Hawkins said the ones found on weapons locally are typically 3-D printed in the United States.
“The ones hitting the streets here have been made on a 3-D printer,” he said. “They’re printing them out and selling them on the street for about $300. … I don’t know if it was printed locally or somewhere regionally or what.”
Possessing the modification itself can bring up to a 10 year prison sentence, and is a federal crime, Hawkins said.
“We have seen several of these in the last couple of months, which is kind of concerning to us,” he said.
The rapid rate of fire makes the handguns very difficult to control, Hawkins said.
“Being that it fires so rapidly it’s hard to control, and they’re very seldom hitting what they’re aiming at,” he said. “Innocent bystanders could be a possible target when they’re using these conversion devices.”
Demarco Turner, 32, was charged with speeding, expired driver’s license, failure to have proof of insurance, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, DUI first offense and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Andrea Turner, 35, was charged with two outstanding warrants for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. During the arrest, he ran from the officers and was captured after a brief foot chase. He is facing additional charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, failure to obey a police officer and possession of marijuana.
As the investigation continues, Hawkins said one or both men could face federal charges over the conversion of the Glock.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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