Philadelphia, PA − July 9, 2025 – In response to recent mass shootings in Philadelphia that involved firearms modified with machine gun conversion devices, State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D–2, Philadelphia) announced today that she will introduce legislation to prohibit the possession, sale, manufacture, and transfer of “auto sears,” also known as Glock switches, in Pennsylvania.
“I’m outraged by the gun violence tearing through our communities,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The recent mass shootings in Philadelphia were made even more dangerous by Glock switches that turned handguns into fully automatic weapons. These devices are cheap, easy to get, and incredibly deadly. That’s why I will be introducing legislation to ban Glock switches in Pennsylvania. Our streets are not battlegrounds, and I won’t stand by while these weapons continue to devastate our city.”
Glock switches are small, inexpensive plastic or metal attachments that can convert a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. They can be installed in seconds using basic tools or 3D-printed at home. Despite being classified as illegal machine guns under federal law, the devices are becoming increasingly common in Philadelphia and across the country.
In 2025 alone, Philadelphia police have recovered at least 57 firearms equipped with switches. In the past six weeks, police believe these devices were used in two separate mass shootings in Grays Ferry and Fairmount Park, where five people were killed and 18 others were injured – all under the age of 28.
“Fully automatic machine guns do not belong on our streets,” Tartaglione said. “When these devices are used, the risk of mass casualties skyrockets. We have to act now to protect our communities and law enforcement officers who are already working under tremendous strain.”
Currently, 27 states have laws banning auto sears and other conversion devices. Pennsylvania is not one of them. Philadelphia passed a local ban last year, but legal challenges based on state preemption limit the city’s ability to enforce it. Senator Tartaglione’s forthcoming bill will close this gap and bring Pennsylvania in line with federal standards and national best practices.
“This is common sense,” Tartaglione said. “We need a statewide solution. I urge my colleagues in the General Assembly to join me in taking this important step to save lives.”
###