Drop In Auto Sear Keychain
Do not buy it. Do not print it. Do not put it on your keys. If you see one for sale, assume it’s either a scam or a sting operation. If you already own one, contact an attorney immediately about lawful disposal (usually turning it over to local ATF field office). The best souvenir from the world of NFA items is a clean criminal record. Leave the Drop In Auto Sear for history books and registered dealers—not your pocket. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearms laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult with a qualified attorney and verify with the ATF before possessing any item that could be construed as a machine gun part.
The DIAS itself is considered a machine gun by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. Why? Because the legal definition of a "machine gun" includes not only the complete weapon but also any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun . The "Keychain" Phenomenon So, where does the keychain come in? In recent years, a small cottage industry of novelty sellers, 3D-printing enthusiasts, and questionable online marketplaces have begun producing Drop In Auto Sear Keychains . These are identical in shape, dimensions, and material to a functional DIAS, but with one critical feature: a hole drilled through the body to accommodate a key ring.
The ATF distinguishes between "replicas" and "readily convertible." A plastic keychain that bends and breaks under finger pressure is likely legal because it cannot be used as a sear. However, a 3D printed part made of high-strength polymer (like nylon or carbon-fiber PEEK) that can survive for even one cycle of automatic fire is illegal. The technical term is "readily convertible." If a person with basic tools and a drill press can make it functional, it's a machine gun. Drop In Auto Sear Keychain
The safest rule? If it looks like a DIAS and is made of metal or engineering-grade plastic, do not touch it. You might ask: "If it’s so illegal, why do I see these for sale on Etsy, eBay, or Instagram?"
The seller’s legal argument hinges on the claim that because the object has a secondary, non-firearm use (holding keys), it is not "designed and intended" as a machine gun conversion device. They argue it is a decorative replica, not a functional part. Here is where the dream of a tactical keychain dies a violent death. The ATF does not care about the key ring hole. Do not buy it
In the sprawling, often bizarre world of firearm accessories and tactical gear, few items generate as much confusion, controversy, and legal jeopardy as the Drop In Auto Sear Keychain .
Over decades of rulings (including landmark letters regarding the "Whamo" and auto-sear paperweights), the ATF has consistently ruled that If you see one for sale, assume it’s
Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(o)), it is illegal for private citizens to possess a machine gun manufactured after May 19, 1986. Since functional DIAS parts were largely banned after that date (except for expensive, pre-1986 registered examples), any newly manufactured DIAS—even one on a keychain—is a contraband machine gun.