The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts has seized more than 350 Internet domains allegedly used by Chinese outfits to sell kits to U.S. residents that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons — and silence them when they fire.
US seizes 350 websites used to import weapons parts from China | China in focus
Prosecutors said possession of the silencers and conversion devices — called "switches" — and importing them from certain countries, including China, are prohibited under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
Authorities began targeting the operations last August – sometimes using undercover agents to buy and receive contraband to confirm their authenticity.
Many of the orders were taken over the chat apps WhatsApp or Telegram. The items were then shipped to the United States mislabeled as necklaces, toys, or other harmless items.
