Police 'Find First 3D Gun-Printing Factory'

[eatmyshorts 201]

 

Police have discovered a 3D printer which they believe criminals were using to try to make a gun, Sky News can reveal.

 

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, officers in Manchester on Thursday seized a printer and other components potentially used in the manufacture of firearms during a raid.

 

As part of an operation to target organised crime gangs in the city, police found a trigger and a magazine they believe is capable of holding bullets, both of which are thought to have been made using the printer.

 

Officers believe the raid – in the Bagley area of the city – could have uncovered what could be Britain's first 3D gun factory.

 

Earlier this year concerns were raised that the printers, which construct everyday solid items using very thin layers of plastic, could be used to make a gun, which contained no metal parts and could therefore evade detection by security scanners at airports and other potential criminal targets.

 

In a statement to Sky News, Detective Inspector Chris Mossop, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "If what we have seized is proven to be viable components capable of constructing a genuine firearm, then it demonstrates that organised crime groups are acquiring technology that can be bought on the high street to produce the next generation of weapons.

 

"In theory, the technology essentially allows offenders to produce their own guns in the privacy of their own home, which they can then supply to the criminal gangs who are causing such misery in our communities.

 

"Because they are also plastic and can avoid X-ray detection, it makes them easy to conceal and smuggle."

 

The chief constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, told Sky News that 3D guns were "a new phenomenon".

 

He said: "We will really need to look at this new development. Certainly we feel that we are having success - and the important thing is not to be defeatist about this. It is not to think that we'll never win, that these people are cleverer than us.

 

"They are not, they are just more violent than us."

 

In May a US defence company successfully fired the first ever gun made with 3D printer technology and announced plans to distribute the blueprints online .

 

At the time it was warned that criminals may try to use the devices to do something similar.

 

The firm, Defense Distributed, spent a year trying to assemble a working model. It succeeded using separate printed plastic components and a metal firing pin.

 

The cost of 3D printers has fallen dramatically in recent months. They can now be bought for less than £1,000.

 

In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "Component parts for what could be the UK's first ever 3D gun have been seized by Greater Manchester Police.

 

"During the searches, officers found a 3D printer and what is suspected might be a plastic clip and a 3D trigger which could be fitted together to make a viable 3D gun.

 

"It they are found to be viable components for a 3D gun, it would be the first ever seizure of this kind in the UK. The parts are now being forensically examined by firearms specialists to establish if they could construct a genuine device.

 

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of making gunpowder and remains in custody for questioning."

 

The raid came as part of what police describe as the largest operation to tackle organised criminal gangs in Manchester's history.

 

In the past week more than 50 suspected members of criminal gangs have been arrested for a variety of offences including drugs, firearms and money laundering.

 

As well as the 3D printer, seizures included £330,000 worth of drugs, £25,000 in cash along with weapons such as high-powered air rifles, a BB gun, a Taser, a baton and seven high powered cars.

 

Up to 50 tonnes of counterfeit goods worth at least £2m - including fake trainers, watches and clothing - were also recovered.

 

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebekah Sutcliffe, who heads Challenger for Greater Manchester Police, said: "Organised crime groups have a corrosive and insidious effect on our communities. These sorts of people mistakenly believe they 'own their turf' and use violence and intimidation to make people's lives a misery.

 

"However, this week we have brought the fight to these gangs and through Challenger we are now declaring war on these criminal networks who for too long have been bullying communities and enjoying a lavish lifestyle."

 

There are currently more than 160 known organised criminal gangs in Greater Manchester, costing the local economy between £850m and £1.7bn each year.

 

However, it is thought there may be up to 500 of these networks in operation.

 

 

I guess the americans weren't first with this idea lol

[Saran999 288]

I've never though about that... very clever! And now, they will ban the 3D printers... and supplies... nice

[oobydooby 16]

It was found in a computer shop and the owner says it is actually parts for repairing the printer and is in the instructions.  The police only need to look at the printer manual to identify the parts.  But as we all know the police are so thick it will take them two years of forensic study and an expensive court case to find the man innocent,

[Saran999 288]

Thanks for the update @oobydooby. Do you also know the publishing date of this news?

[eatmyshorts 201]

Police are police...let them have their moment of glory because they nearly always seem to get shot down lol

 

 

 

Police chiefs today defended raiding a toy model shop and claiming they may have found the UK's first ever 3D printed firearm.

The seizure, initially described as "a really significant discovery", was part of a much-heralded crackdown on organised crime, Operation Challenger, launched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

But hours later it emerged GMP may have jumped the gun, releasing a second statement about the raid in which Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: "We need to be absolutely clear that, at this stage, we cannot categorically say we have recovered the component parts for a 3D gun."

The 38-year-old pony-tailed shop-owner was released on police bail an hour after answering questions by officers over the alleged "gun" parts. He has tearfully protested his innocence.

Police say the raid was "not a fishing expedition" and carried out after they received "intelligence" about the shop.

The 3D printer and other "gun" parts are now being examined by firearms experts.

A press conference called by police today to discuss the success of the week-long Operation Challenger was largely taken up by questions over the 3D gun.

Mr Heywood told reporters: "This is a good news story about us tackling organised crime in Greater Manchester.

"The publicity was around Operation Challenger, a by-product has been the significant interest in the 3D printer."

Police raided the model-making shop in Manchester yesterday, confiscating the 3D printer, and hours later told the media that officers had seized what they suspected to be a 3D plastic magazine and trigger which could be fitted together to make a viable 3D gun.

But speaking on condition of anonymity, shop owner "Andrew" said the supposed trigger and magazine for bullets were actually parts of the printer - which he uses to make models.

Mr Heywood added: "What we are trying to do is determine, with forensic experts, whether they are component parts of a firearm.

"We have done what I think members of the public would expect us to do. We have turned up at a workshop and found some suspicious items.

"We will get these items forensically examined and make a determination with the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) whether any offences have happened.

"We will go through a proper investigative process.

"We are just doing our job."

A source close to the investigation said a blueprint to make a gun has been recovered in the raid.

Andrew said he has made a toy model gun and claims officers took a model Smith and Wesson gun he was making - which is an "executive toy" and fires rubber bands.

In tears, he said: "I'm angry, disappointed and hurt. This could kill me, this could threaten the business.

"I was sat here yesterday morning and I saw police officers coming to the door. I just thought it was a customer. We have officers who are customers.

"They came in and said 'we have got a warrant to search this premises'.

"They accused me of making gun parts."

Presented with the "trigger" and "magazine", he explained that one was a spool and the other another part of the printer, to which he said the officer replied: "Oh! OK."

He was released on bail an hour later.

He went on: "Then I suddenly found out all this is going on in the news. They are off their heads. It's 100% bollocks! I'm not making anything illegal.

"I can understand them doing their jobs. I just think they have gone over the top.

"To do an investigation, fine. To label them as gun parts is absolutely ridiculous."

The printer, along with a laser cutter, makes anything from cake decorations to toy skulls for Goth teenagers.

Andrew added: "I think it's the future. If people want something, I can make it for them. Not many people do this, it's a niche market. I hope it's going to take off as a business.

"I'm not making anything illegal.

"I just want my stuff back so I can get on with my business."

Police said it would be "some days" before experts decided whether the parts found at the shop were actually components of a firearm.