Feds seize 350 websites trafficking counterfeit Glock silencers from China

The US Department of Homeland Security announced the seizure of over 350 websites on Wednesday, said to be used for illegally importing counterfeit Glock machinegun silencers and other weapons parts from China.

Federal officials say the websites, most of Chinese origin, were being used to import, export, and sell counterfeit gun parts – such as silencers and conversion switches – stamped with the Glock logo.

A gun switch allows a person to illegally convert a semiautomatic pistol into an automatic machine gun, while the silencer is used to suppress the sound of a firearm when discharged, officials said.

Both devices were said to have been manufactured in China. Switch devices are about the size of a cherry tomato, while silencers typically range between six and eight inches long, according to the website Silencer Central.

The National Firearms Act (NFA) prohibits individuals from possessing the devices, and importing them from certain countries, such as China, is also illegal.

“These websites represent a large-scale, organized effort to import illegal switches and silencers that turn ordinary firearms into deadly automatic weapons,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Krol says criminals often use the illegal switches and silencers “to commit violence and facilitate crime in our communities.”

“Ironically, Glock has never manufactured switches,” officials said.

The investigation began in August 2023 after federal authorities first got wind of the trafficking scheme taking place across multiple websites and businesses, as well as with individuals selling the devices.

As part of the operation, agents would make undercover purchases from the websites blatantly promoting the sale of the switches and silencers, using the Glock trademark to advertise the items.

Once a purchase was made, officials say the “contraband items” were shipped from China in packages mislabeled with false descriptions, such as “necklace” and “toys.”

The packages would be delivered to US postal mailboxes controlled by the agents.

Once enough proof was gathered, the feds were able to seize 355 domains in connection with the scheme, as well as over 700 devices that could convert a firearm into a machine gun.

Additionally, another 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, and 36 long guns were also confiscated, said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge at the US Postal Inspection Service in Boston, Massachusetts, where the sting took place.

“The proliferation of readily available devices which allow the illegal manufacturing of machine guns is a plague on our communities, Larco-Ward said.

Now, visitors to the over 300 websites will now be directed to a landing page with a notice that the domain has been seized bu the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.

Glock is a well known brand and manufacturer of firearms used by civilians, law enforcement, and the military.

Headquartered in Austria, it’s handguns are considered to be the most popular in the world.

Glock has around a 65% market share in the US law enforcement and civilian handgun market, with an estimated 1 million-plus Glocks sold in the US each year, according to the Utah-based gun safe dealer Liberty Safe.

The company, which says it “believes in responsible gun ownership,” was said to have fully cooperated with the government investigation.

The US Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Massachusetts State Police also participated in the case.

Using the Glock trademark violates federal laws that prohibits trafficking in counterfeit goods.

“The seizure of these domains is a critical step in disrupting the flow of dangerous contraband that threatens public safety,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.