KENTUCKY (WZTV) — A proposed bill that would outlaw machine gun conversion devices under Kentucky law is gaining backing from police chiefs and sheriffs statewide.
On Feb. 10, law enforcement leaders from departments across Kentucky voiced their support for House Bill 299, sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville.
The legislation would classify possession of a machine gun conversion device as a Class C felony under Kentucky law.
A Glock switch is a small attachment, often created with a 3D printer, that can turn a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon.
In a joint letter, law enforcement officials stated that these devices can enable a firearm to fire as many as 1,200 rounds per minute.
“In the last two years, our officers have seen a staggering rise in the prevalence of these devices,” the letter states. It adds that in Louisville, police confiscations of the devices climbed from 31 in 2023 to 80 in 2024.
Although federal law already bans machine gun conversion devices, local and state authorities lack the authority to prosecute possession under Kentucky statutes.
Law enforcement leaders said they often must depend on federal agencies to file charges.
“By enacting a state-level ban and classifying possession as a Class C felony, you provide us with the tools we need to take immediate action,” the letter states.
House Bill 299 would establish a new section within Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 527. It would define a machine gun under federal law and make it illegal to intentionally possess, obtain, receive, sell, or use any part designed to convert a firearm into a machine gun.
The measure outlines exceptions for law enforcement officers performing official duties and for firearms or components properly registered under federal law. It also excludes devices that increase a firearm’s rate of fire but do not allow more than two shots with a single trigger pull.
In a press release, Nemes said the bill aims to strengthen public safety while preserving the rights of lawful gun owners.
“These devices lead to guns being used in ways they were never designed — posing a deadly threat to both law enforcement and bystanders,” Nemes said. “As other states have shown, we can recognize and address this problem while also safeguarding Second Amendment rights.”
The joint letter emphasizes that the proposal “does not infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Kentuckians” and points out that the devices are already prohibited under federal law.
HB 299 is expected to go before a committee in the coming weeks.
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