Burnsville Man Sold Machinegun Devices To Undercover Agent: Feds

BURNSVILLE, MN — A 29-year-old Burnsville man was convicted after selling illegal machinegun devices to an undercover agent, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced.

Benjamin J. Zwack pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of possession of a machine gun. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

In March 2023, federal agents received information that Zwack, an employee at a federally licensed firearms business, was selling 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as "switches" or "auto sears," authorities said.

The devices turn firearms into fully automatic weapons and qualify as machine guns under federal law.

On March 7, an undercover agent went to the firearms business and purchased from Zwack eleven 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices designed to convert a semiautomatic AR-Type weapon to shoot automatically, according to authorities.

During the purchase, the undercover agent observed a firearm in Zwack’s waistband, investigators said.

On March 30, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant and found a Girsan-Regard, 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the center console of Zwack’s vehicle and a shotgun and ammunition from his residence, according to authorities.

Agents also searched Zwack’s storage locker and found additional firearms, suspected homemade silencers, ammunition, and a suspected "destructive device," investigators said.

The case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dakota County Drug Task Force, according to a news release.