New Bill Requires Multi-Agency Plan Within 120 Days to Block Illegal Machinegun Conversion Devices

This legislation, the "Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025," directs top federal agencies – specifically the Attorney General, Homeland Security, and Treasury – to develop and implement a national strategy within 120 days aimed squarely at stopping the import and illegal movement of machinegun conversion devices. Section 2 defines these devices essentially as any part or combination of parts specifically designed to convert a firearm into a machinegun.

The Strategy: More Boots, Better Intel

The core of the bill (Section 3) mandates a multi-pronged federal approach. Think enhanced detection and seizure capabilities at borders and within the U.S., involving agencies like ATF, FBI, CBP, and HSI. It pushes for better teamwork between federal, state, and local law enforcement, including federal training programs to help local officers spot these devices. A key part involves digging into the data – tracking where seized devices originated (foreign or domestic, including 3D printed) to identify trafficking patterns and vulnerabilities. This strategy isn't a one-off; progress reports are required for Congress every two years.

Following the Money and the Data

Beyond the strategy, the bill makes two other notable changes. Section 4 amends existing law (specifically section 5872 of the Internal Revenue Code) to allow federal authorities to seize the proceeds generated from illegally making, importing, exporting, or transferring machineguns, including those made with conversion devices. Additionally, Section 5 requires the Attorney General to include specific data on crimes involving these conversion devices – and whether they were made domestically or abroad – in the annual firearms trafficking report.

Reading Between the Lines: Potential Impacts

So, what does this mean in practice? The goal is clearly to disrupt the flow of illegal devices that dramatically increase a firearm's rate of fire. Better coordination and data could certainly help law enforcement target traffickers. However, the definition of a "machinegun conversion device" in Section 2 is broad – "any part or combination of parts designed and intended solely and exclusively...for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun." How broadly agencies interpret "designed and intended solely and exclusively" could potentially impact manufacturers or sellers of certain firearm accessories, even if not intended for illegal conversion. Furthermore, while the forfeiture provision in Section 4 targets proceeds from illegal activity, expanded forfeiture powers always warrant scrutiny. Lastly, the increased data collection mandated in Section 3, while aimed at tracking illegal devices, will inevitably gather more information, raising familiar questions about data security and potential privacy implications down the line.