Kentucky man admits making guns with 3D printer, trading Glock switches for

When federal agents searched a home in Northern Kentucky, they found nearly a dozen devices meant to turn a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic one, prosecutors said.

Not only did investigators learn that Christopher Brautigan, 26, was manufacturing and distributing the devices – commonly known as Glock switches – they also found Brautigan created whole firearms with 3D printers, court filings show.

Brautigan pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Covington to the possession and transfer of a machine gun, attempted cocaine possession with the intent to distribute and illegal firearms possession.

Court records indicate the investigation into Brautigan was launched after agents searched the home in Boone County in March 2023. Two of the home’s residents independently identified Brautigan as the source of the Glock switches.

When investigators obtained a search warrant for Brautigan’s Facebook account, they found numerous messages and photos related to the manufacturing and sale of firearms and Glock switches, prosecutors said in the plea agreement. Those online conversations began in March 2022.

The Glock “switches” or “chips,” quickly attached to a handgun, converting the firearm from shooting one bullet per trigger squeeze to having the capability of firing until the trigger is released.

Agents searched Brautigan’s apartment in Independence last summer and found computer equipment, 3D printers and 16 firearms, several of which were made from a plastic material commonly used in 3D printing.

In an interview with investigators, Brautigan admitted to making the guns and Glock switches using a 3D printer, prosecutors said, adding the 11 Glock switches seized from the Boone County residence had been traded by Brautigan for marijuana.

Brautigan also admitted to investigators that he ordered a package of cocaine off the dark web, intending to use some of it and sell the rest, although that package was intercepted by federal agents, according to prosecutors.

His attorney did not respond to a message from The Enquirer seeking comment on the guilty plea.

Brautigan is set to appear in court on May 30 for sentencing before U.S. District Judge David Bunning.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kentucky man admits trading Glock switches for drugs, 3D printing guns

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