EXCLUSIVE — Federal customs officers who inspect imported packages arriving at Chicago-area international airports seized more than 100 shipments of Glock switches and suppressors from Chinese senders that were bound for recipients across the United States last month.
In April, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team in Chicago seized 269 various parts that modify weapons to make them fully automatic or suppress the sound of a gunshot.
“These illicit attempted importation of weapon modification devices pose a danger to our communities. CBP’s dedication and attention to detail when scrutinizing cargo protects our nation,” Michael Pfeiffer, acting director of field operations for CBP’s Chicago field office, said in a statement. “Our frontline CBP officers continue to exercise vigilance in all mail environments; and their inspectional experience coupled with an exercise of keen observational techniques resulted in these seizures.”
Across a total of 107 shipments, federal law enforcement officers found 255 pistol automatic fire conversion switches, as well as 14 suppressors, also called silencers.
CBP did not provide the number of seizures in fiscal 2025 but said 1,507 pieces of gun-altering devices were seized in 2024, making April’s seizures much higher than normal.
Federal law prohibits anyone from using or possessing automatic fire conversion switches. The pieces allow a shooter to convert standard semi-automatic handguns to fully automatic. These devices can be ordered online and made by 3D printers.
A CBP photo of seized Glock switches showed at least one had a sticker on it that stated “F*** THE ATF,” in reference to the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which enforces gun laws nationwide.
Gun suppressors are legal in 42 states, according to CBP, but they are illegal in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Delaware.
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CBP said “many” of them were not declared in customs forms, wrongly identified on forms, or lacked ATF importation approvals.
The seizures come as the Trump administration continues to crack down on crime nationwide, particularly in Democrat-run cities that will not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.