FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WISH) – “Dangerous” machine gun conversion devices, also known as MCDs, have been gaining popularity and use in Fort Wayne, particularly among youth, Fort Wayne police warned Sunday.

A press release said: “The Fort Wayne Police Department has seen a steady increase in the popularity and use of MCD in recent years, specifically among youth. We urge parents to not only be aware of children dangerously possessing firearms, but in particular to take note if minors are talking about MCD or its common street terms ‘Glock switches’, ‘switches’, ‘buttons’, ‘laughs’. switches’, or any other talk about converting semi-automatic firearms to fully automatic firearms. We urge parents to talk to their youth about the dangers of firearms and MCDs and to partner with those who own them.”

The alert came after a 15-year-old boy was arrested Saturday afternoon as part of a search warrant in connection with a shooting Friday at Hanna and Oxford streets, a few blocks east of South Side High School. The 15-year-old, whose name has not been shared publicly, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault of another teen.

The teen was shot around 12:40 p.m. Friday. Police described the teen’s injuries as “critical, but not life-threatening.”

During the search warrant service, which occurred at a home in the 3200 block of South Monroe Street, police confiscated three firearms, one of which had a machine gun conversion device attached to the weapon.

The release contained a photograph that showed a gun and used a red arrow to point to an MCD.

Police noted in the statement that Indiana and U.S. laws have banned conversion devices.

“MCDs are small devices, no larger than about the size of a quarter, that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic pistols, capable of firing thousands of rounds per minute. “These MCDs can be installed into any Glock-style pistol in a matter of minutes and are not only extremely dangerous but highly illegal under Indiana law and United States federal law.”

Police noted that anyone can anonymously report possession of illegal firearms or conversion devices through the P3 Crimestoppers Apponline at crimestoppersfw.orgor by calling the Crimestoppers tip line at 260-436-7867.