What’s the switch? Federal law enforcement warns Houstonians about the growing gun epidemic in Texas, calling it an “epidemic in our communities.”

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Federal law enforcement officials have described the switch as “a scourge to our communities.”

So what’s the switch? Authorities say it’s a one-inch device that turns a semi-automatic gun into a fully automatic weapon.

ABC13 was on hand for a demonstration this morning where representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives showed how the device modifies a handgun.

The ATF representative first fired 15 rounds from a semi-automatic weapon, which took just under four seconds to complete.

The switched pistol then took 0.64 seconds to fire the same number of bullets.

“These switches are just lumps of plastic,” said ATF Special Agent Mike Weddell, “some are 3D printed, many are imported from other countries.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said use of the switches, which are typically inserted into the butt of a gun, has been on the rise in Texas.

Texas-based ATF agents made 991 arrests between 2017 and 2023, with 490 arrests in 2023 alone, the report said.

Such incidents of carnage are not uncommon in the Houston area.

Officer William Jeffery of the Houston Police Department was shot and killed in September 2021.

In January 2022, three HPD officers were shot with a modified gun at McGowen and Hutchins streets near downtown.

“This is a machine that causes death and destruction without a great deal of precision,” said Alamdar Hamdani, the US attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “It’s horrifying.”

Hamdani added that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with Crime Stoppers on “Operation Texas Kill Switch.”

The crime prevention initiative will run until the end of August, and anonymous members of the public can receive a cash reward if their information provided to Crime Stoppers leads to the arrest of a Switch owner.

If you have any information regarding this effort, please contact Crime Stoppers of Houston directly. Information leading to the indictment or arrest of a felony suspect may result in a cash reward of up to $5,000.

To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash payment, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers directly by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), providing a tip online or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.

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