A Louisiana woman is facing a felony charge after the Gulfport Police Department said officers found a handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device during a traffic stop.
According to GPD, officers arrested 20-year-old Destanie Joelle Francois early Sunday morning, and she was charged with one count of possession of a machine gun conversion device.
A machine gun conversion device, oftentimes, is no bigger than a quarter, and can transform a standard handgun into a fully automatic weapon capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute – faster than many automatic rifles. Law enforcement officials nationwide vouch the devices make weapons nearly impossible to control, which significantly increases harm to bystanders.
The incident in Gulfport began around 3:03 a.m. when officers conducted a traffic stop at 25th Street and 25th Avenue after seeing a vehicle driving westbound in the eastbound lanes. Police said that after approaching the car, an officer smelled marijuana coming from inside. Francois was asked to step out so officers could search.
During that search, officers reported finding a firearm fitted with a machine gun conversion device, which is commonly known as a “Glock switch,” as well as marijuana inside the vehicle.
Francois was taken into custody, processed, and transported to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, where she is being held on a $50,000 bond. The case remains under investigation.
