ORLANDO, Fla. — A UCF mechanical engineering student who told police he "doesn't like laws" is facing serious charges after making bump-fire stock devices to turn an AR-15 into a machine gun, investigators say.

  • UCF mechanical engineering student arrested on weapons charges
  • Police say he was making bump-fire stock devices, had full-auto AR-15
  • Investigators say he said he knew it was illegal but he "doesn't like laws"

Max Bennett Chambers, 19, lived in Tower 3 on the campus of the University of Central Florida, where he was arrested on Tuesday afternoon on charges of possessing a machine gun and bump-fire stock devices.

UCF Police looked into Chambers after receiving an anonymous tip through Crimeline, they said. When officers made contact with him, they said they got his permission to search his vehicle, where they found a black AR-15 rifle.

Investigators said that AR-15 operated as a machine gun — fully automatic — which they said Chambers admitted he'd altered by installing a "full auto kit."

Police also said Chambers made multiple "drop-in auto sears" devices, which were recently made illegal in Florida under a bump-fire stock ban. A federal ban that includes DIAS is set to take effect in March. President Donald Trump issued a new rule at the end of 2018 putting the ban in place. The new laws were in direct response to the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the country music festival in Las Vegas. 

According to a UCF Police arrest report, Chambers knew it was illegal to make the bump-fire stocks, but he told them "he doesn't like laws."

UCF Police Chief Carl Metzger said Wednesday there's no evidence Chambers wanted to harm anyone; investigators think he’s just really into guns.

"At no point did this person express a threat to campus, but we take the disregard for laws regarding firearms seriously, especially in this day and age," Metzger said.

"He knowingly and flagrantly disregarded the law, and that’s unacceptable to us," he said.

Some UCF students on campus weren't even aware of the arrest.

"It makes me sad, and that’s just crazy to me," student Katie Lawson said. "I feel like you hear about things on the news, and now it’s right here at UCF. That’s crazy."

UCF Police had previously visited Chambers on campus over a weapons policy violation, they said. In spring 2018, officers found he was in possession of part of a firearm, which isn't illegal but a violation of campus policy.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in Chambers' arrest, police said. Detectives are continuing to investigate whether other laws or policies were broken, and the U.S. Attorney's Office has been notified in case there are any potential federal charges.

Chambers said little when he faced a judge on two felony charges Wednesday morning. He posted bond later in the afternoon, quickly walking out of jail with a coat over his face and into a car with his mother. He said yes when asked whether he thought the devices he's accused of making should be legal.

Chambers also been trespassed from the UCF campus.

"We can’t say it enough: If you see something, say something, and we’ll do something," Metzger said.

Max Bennett Chambers (Orange County Jail)
Max Bennett Chambers (Orange County Jail)