Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco addressed a gathering organized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to combat the production and spread of unlawful machine gun conversion devices (MCDs). In her remarks, she extended sympathies to those affected by a recent school shooting in Georgia.
Monaco acknowledged the collaboration among law enforcement, academia, and private sector representatives from institutions such as Dartmouth College, Wichita State University, Oak Ridge National Lab, and the 3-D printing industry. She emphasized that "the Department of Justice has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe," highlighting an increase in gun crimes since the pandemic began in 2020.
The Deputy Attorney General outlined a four-pillar strategy to reduce violent crime: targeting significant drivers of violent crime; fostering community trust; investing in prevention programs; and measuring impact through crime reduction. She noted that according to 2023 data, major crimes have declined compared to 2022.
Monaco described MCDs as small devices capable of converting firearms into automatic weapons. These devices are illegal under federal law due to their destructive potential. Highlighting several incidents involving MCDs, she stressed their danger to public safety and law enforcement.
To address this threat, Monaco announced three actions:
1. The establishment of the Justice Department’s Action Network to Terminate Illegal Machinegun Conversion Devices (ANTI-MCD), co-chaired by ATF and a U.S. Attorney.
2. The creation of a national MCD Training Initiative led by ATF.
3. Directing all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to prioritize MCD prosecutions with comprehensive strategies.
Monaco praised initiatives like Project Switch Off in Oklahoma for reducing MCD-related offenses through training and prosecution efforts. She also called for broader cooperation with industry experts to prevent these devices from reaching criminals.
In closing, Monaco urged continued collective efforts across various sectors to ensure community safety against the threat posed by MCDs.