Police 'Jump Gun' On 3D Weapons Discovery

Police appear to have jumped the gun on a claim to have seized the first 3D-printed weapons factory after doubt was cast on some of the items found.

Greater Manchester Police had hailed a "really significant discovery" after it found a 3D printer during a raid in the city against organised crime on Thursday.

It released a statement headed "Component parts for UK’s first 3D gun seized", along with pictures of two plastic parts labelled "3D Clip" and "3D Trigger".

The statement added: "If they are found to be viable components for a 3D gun, it would be the first ever seizure of this kind in the UK."

However, other 3D printer users have rubbished the claims, saying that the plastic 'trigger' and 'magazine' were printer spares.

These would have been printed off in case the machine broke, the users said.

Scott Crawford, head of the UK 3D printing firm Revolv3D, told PC Pro: “I suspect the police have gone into this place for all the air rifles and everything else they found in there, they’ve seen the printer and they’ve jumped to a conclusion that this has actually been used to print guns.

"But none of the parts they’ve shown indicate that to me. Those are both very common printer parts that anyone who owns a 3D printer will print at some stage."

The Greater Manchester force issued an update in light of the comments.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: "We need to be absolutely clear that at that this stage, we cannot categorically say we have recovered the component parts for a 3D gun.

"What we have seized are items that need further forensic testing by national ballistics experts to establish whether they can be used in the construction of a genuine, viable firearm.

"We will also be conducting a thorough analysis of computers we have recovered to establish any evidence of a blueprint on how to construct such a weapon."

He added: "Clearly the fact we have seized a 3D printer and have intelligence about the possible production of a weapon using this technology is of concern. It’s prudent we establish exactly what these parts can be used for and whether they pose any threat.

"What this has also done is open up a wider debate about the emerging threat these next generation of weapons might pose.

"The worrying thing for me is that these printers can be used to make certain components of guns, while others can be legitimately ordered over the Internet without arousing suspicion. When put together, this could allow a person to construct a firearm in their own home."

One man was arrested during Thursday's operation on suspicion of making gunpowder but has now been released on bail.

The raid, in Baguley, came just two weeks after the newly-established National Crime Agency warned that measures will have to be taken to monitor the potential criminal use of 3D printers.