‘Glock switch’ modified gun used in George County deputy killing

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - 3 On Your Side has exclusive, new information since our October 2023 investigation into a device that turns a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun.

It’s commonly called a “Glock switch” and 3 On Your Side has now confirmed the device was used in Monday’s deadly shootout on North State Street in Jackson, where an innocent driver was caught in the crossfire.

WLBT has also learned a Glock switch was used in the recent death of a law enforcement officer. All of this has prompted state lawmakers to now take action.

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade confirmed shooters were using guns modified with Glock switches in Monday’s shootout along North State Street. An innocent driver, Anthony Davis, was caught in the crossfire, and was killed.

And now we know it was a gun modified with a Glock switch that recently ended the life of George County deputy Jeremy Malone.

Rep. Kevin Felsher said, ”He was shot a number of times, and there’s no doubt that this converter switch but for that, that would not have happened. But because of this converter switch it did. And there’s numerous instances of this around the nation right now.”

Police officers are also seeing the switches in towns like Ridgeland.

Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers said, ”We are, we have seized several of those on traffic stops.”

Representatives of numerous state law enforcement associations are now calling on state lawmakers to do something about the problem. The devices are easy to get. You can even make one out of plastic with a laser printer. While it’s a federal crime to possess a Glock switch, there is no state law. Supporters want to see it become a felony if you’re caught with a Glock switch in Mississippi.

Sen. Scott DeLano said, ”So, this is not a knee-jerk reaction to what happened down in George County. But it is an example of the reasons why this should have been in place years ago. This is something that we should take action on immediately. All we’re doing is codifying in our state code law that is already a federal offense helps our local law enforcement officers try to stop criminals before they kill anyone else, and God forbid another law enforcement officer.”

So, how would such legislation go over in a state like Mississippi where gun rights are respected and embraced? Lawmakers and officers say they expect pushback.

”Well, I’m a lifelong member of the NRA but also have common sense. And I will tell you that a pistol is not supposed to be a machine gun,” said Rep. Kevin Felsher.

Chief Brian Myers said, ”I’ve always been a gun advocate My father was a lobby for the National Rifle Association back in the 80s and there’s just no place for for Glock switch.”

”It will give us more teeth as we encounter people with these guns, illegal guns, Glock switches, ghost guns, guns with obliterated serial numbers,” said Chief Wade. The availability and accessibility of guns in our community is decimating our communities.”

Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.