An Akron, Ohio man has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being convicted of possessing an illegally modified Glock pistol equipped with a “switch,” a small device that converts a handgun from semi-automatic to fully automatic fire.
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich announced that 33-year-old Maurice Arnold received the sentence following his conviction on weapons and drug charges. Investigators said one of the Glock pistols found in his home was fitted with an illegal switch, a device about the size of a quarter that allows a pistol to fire continuously with a single pull of the trigger.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classifies these devices as machine guns under federal law. Possession is illegal under both federal and Ohio statutes. According to a 2025 ATF report, law enforcement recoveries of Glock switches have increased 784 percent since 2019, with more than 5,800 seized nationwide in 2023.
Arnold’s case began when his parole officer, who was supervising him for a 2012 felonious assault conviction, noticed social media posts showing him handling firearms. After multiple parole violations, police obtained a warrant for his arrest and searched his Akron residence, where they recovered three firearms, including one Glock equipped with the switch, and about 300 grams of marijuana.
Arnold was initially released on bond but later removed his GPS ankle monitor and attempted to flee. He was eventually captured and convicted in September on the following charges:
- Having weapons while under disability (two forfeiture specifications)
- Unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance with a six-year firearm specification
- Trafficking in marijuana
“Glock switches endanger everyone in our streets, and there is no need for anyone to own one,” said Prosecutor Kolkovich. “Removing these tools of mass violence from the streets and holding those who possess them accountable is one of my key enforcement priorities.”
A Local Case Reflecting a National Trend
Arnold’s case is part of a growing national issue surrounding Glock switches and the federal government’s efforts to control them. As previously reported in Glock Discontinues Dozens of Pistol Models Amid ‘Switch’ Controversy and Market Shift, Glock has taken significant steps to refocus its product line amid increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and the media.
While the company’s official statement cited “future innovation and growth,” many industry observers noted the timing coincides with ongoing lawsuits and political pressure. Several states, including New Jersey and Minnesota, have alleged that Glock pistols are easily convertible to full-auto fire using small aftermarket parts or 3D-printed components.
The ATF and DOJ have also ramped up enforcement against imported and homemade switches, many of which originate from China or online marketplaces. This surge in enforcement has been accompanied by sensational media coverage that often blurs the line between criminal misuse and lawful firearm ownership.
TTAG’s Perspective
No one in the responsible gun community supports illegal conversions, but Arnold’s story checks nearly every box on the “how to go back to prison” checklist.
On parole? Check. Possessing a prohibited firearm? Check. Posting it on social media for everyone, including your parole officer, to see? Check. Cutting off your GPS ankle monitor and going on the run? That’s the criminal justice equivalent of signing your own warrant.
Criminals like Arnold will keep breaking the law no matter how many Glock models are discontinued or how many new bans are passed.
More TTAG Coverage on the Glock Switch: