First UK conviction for 3D printed gun
The first conviction of its kind in the UK has taken place after a 26-year-old man was found to have made a 3D printed gun capable of firing a fatal shot.
Thursday, 20 Jun 2019 14:16 GMT
A man has been convicted of 3D printing a viable firearm
When questioned by the police, London resident Tendai Muswere claimed to have been creating the weapon as part of a university film project and was unaware that the gun was capable of actually firing.
However, a police search to his property found the necessary components needed to create a functioning lethal weapon.
A search of the student’s internet history also found videos which showed how to use a 3D printer to make a gun that could operate live ammunition.
Muswere pleaded guilty to charges of manufacturing a firearm at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, June 19th, in what has been described as a “landmark prosecution”.
This conviction, which I believe is the first of its kind relating to the use of a 3D printer to produce a firearm, has prevented a viable gun from getting into the hand of criminals ”
Acting detective sergeant Jonathan Roberts, from the Central West Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led the investigation.
Roberts says: “This conviction, which I believe is the first of its kind relating to the use of a 3D printer to produce a firearm, has prevented a viable gun from getting into the hand of criminals and is an excellent example of a great partnership working between detectives, neighbourhood police and our forensic colleagues.”
Sentencing is due to take place at the same court on Friday, August 9th, 2019.
This news comes just five months after HP vowed to limit the production of its so-called ‘ghost guns’ using its 3D printers in the U.S, where laws regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition.
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