Gregory Kielma • April 3, 2026
Why Felons, Glock Switches, and Full Automatic Weapons Aren’t Worth the Risk for Law Abiding Citizens
Gregg Kielma
Why Felons, Glock Switches, and Full Automatic Weapons Aren’t Worth the Risk for Law Abiding Citizens
By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training and Firearms
4/3/2026
As a firearms instructor, an FFL, and someone who works every day to promote responsible gun ownership, I see a lot of confusion about felons, Glock switches, and fully automatic weapons. Some of that confusion comes from social media, some from misinformation, and some from people simply not understanding how serious federal firearms laws really are.
Kielma continues, let me be clear:
for a law-abiding citizen, getting involved with illegal conversion devices or prohibited possession is never worth the risk. The consequences are life changing, and not in a good way.
Felons and Firearms: The Law Is Absolute
Under federal law, a convicted felon cannot possess, own, purchase, or have access to a firearm or ammunition. There are no shortcuts, no “loopholes,” and no exceptions for “just holding it for a friend.”
If a prohibited person is caught with a firearm:
• They face federal prison time, not county jail
• They lose any chance of restoring their rights
• Anyone who knowingly provides them access can also be charged
For law abiding gun owners, the takeaway is simple: Never hand a firearm to someone who is prohibited. Even innocent intentions can turn into a felony charge.
Glock Switches: A One Way Ticket to Federal Prison
A Glock switch—also called an auto sear—is a tiny device that converts a semi-automatic Glock into a fully automatic machine gun. Because of that function, the ATF classifies the switch itself as a machine gun, even when it’s not installed.
That means:
• Possessing the device alone is a felony
• Buying, selling, printing, or installing one is a felony
• There is no legal civilian pathway to own one
People see these devices online and think they’re “just a part.” They’re not. They’re a federal machine gun charge waiting to happen.
For a responsible gun owner, the risk is enormous and the benefit is zero.
Full Automatic Weapons: Legal, But Not the Way People Think
Full auto firearms can be legally owned by civilians—but only if they were manufactured and registered before May 19, 1986. These are called transferable machine guns.
Here’s the reality:
• They cost tens of thousands of dollars
• They require a deep background check and ATF approval
• They must remain properly registered
• Any mistake in storage, transfer, or paperwork can lead to serious charges
For most people, the cost and responsibility make them impractical. For anyone thinking about “making” one or “converting” one—don’t. That’s a guaranteed felony.
Why Law Abiding Citizens Should Stay Far Away from Illegal Modifications
Responsible gun owners already have enough challenges—public perception, political pressure, and the constant need to demonstrate safety and professionalism. Illegal devices like Glock switches only make things worse for everyone.
Here’s what you risk by getting involved with illegal conversions:
• Federal felony charges
• Loss of gun rights for life
• Loss of career opportunities
• Financial ruin from legal fees
• Damage to the firearms community as a whole
Nothing about a Glock switch or an unregistered full auto is worth sacrificing your freedom, your rights, or your reputation.
Kielma’s Parting Shot: Responsible Path Forward
At Tactical K Training and Firearms,
I teach people how to be safe, skilled, and confident gun owners. That means understanding the law, respecting the law, and staying far away from anything that puts you—or the firearms community—at risk.
If you want to shoot full auto, do it the right way:
• Visit a licensed range that offers legal machine guns
• Train with qualified instructors
• Learn how these systems work safely and legally
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying firearms. There’s everything wrong with risking your freedom for a device that turns a good person into a felon in seconds.
Gregg Kielma
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
