A Norfolk man is headed to prison for two years and three months after being convicted of illegally trafficking machinegun conversion devices (MCDs) and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
The case unfolded in December 2022, when an undercover operation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) exposed 33-year-old Austin Perrine’s illegal dealings. During a meeting at a Virginia Beach bar, Perrine reportedly offered MCDs for sale. These devices can turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, significantly increasing their lethality.
Perrine retrieved two MCDs from his clothing during the meeting and sold them to undercover agents for $1,000. Along with discussing firearms and silencers, he also mentioned access to cocaine.
A subsequent search of Perrine’s Norfolk home on January 4, 2023, revealed two handguns, various ammunition, and firearm parts—items he was prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony conviction.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to curb illegal firearm activity, especially the trafficking of devices like MCDs that pose a serious public safety risk.