Sen. London Lamar introduces bill to ban machine gun conversion kits
Legislation would establish a class E felony for possession, sale of ‘Glock switches’ in Tennessee
NASHVILLE — Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) will introduce legislation to ban the sale and possession of machine gun conversion kits, commonly known as “Glock switches.”
Glock switches and other machine gun conversion kits are already illegal under federal law, but Tennessee does not currently have a state statute addressing these dangerous devices. Sen. Lamar’s bill would close that gap, ensuring local law enforcement has the authority to act without solely relying on federal prosecution.
Senate Bill 957 creates a class E felony for the possession, sale, and distribution of Glock switches and machine gun conversion kits. The charge is punishable by up to six years in prison with a $3,000 fine.
“Police officers across Tennessee are being outgunned, and our communities are in danger because of these illegal conversion kits,” said Sen. Lamar. “These devices turn ordinary firearms into fully automatic weapons, putting the lives of law enforcement and the public at risk. This bill is about giving law enforcement the legal tools they need to aggressively crack down on these deadly weapons and get them off our streets.”
The push to ban machine gun conversion kits in Tennessee follows growing concerns from law enforcement and city leaders, particularly in Memphis, where violent crime involving illegally modified firearms has increased.
Between 2017 and 2021, the ATF says it has recovered 5,454 machine gun conversion devices, including Glock switches — a 570% increase from the preceding five years.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, similar legislation has already been enacted in several southern states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The Alabama House and Senate approved a “Glock switch” ban in recent weeks.
Sen. Lamar’s bill seeks to align Tennessee with these states taking action against the proliferation of these illegal devices.
“This is common sense legislation,” Sen. Lamar said. “Illegal machine gun conversion kits serve no purpose other than to make firearms more deadly. Tennesseans deserve to feel safe in their communities, and we should do everything we can to support law enforcement in their fight against gun violence.”
Senate Bill 957 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 1.
