Preet Kaur Gill MP’s campaign to criminalise the possession of blueprints for 3D guns has succeeded.
Yesterday (30 January), the Government announced a Bill to introduce new counter terror powers, which include criminalising the making, adapting, importing and possession of templates for 3D-printed firearms, carrying a prison sentence of up to 5 years. These new powers are included in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
Gill has long been campaigning to shut down a legal loophole that means it is currently legal to possess and share blueprints to print 3D guns. In October 2024, Gill presented the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill to Parliament, "to create an offence of possessing a blueprint for the production of a firearm by 3D printing”. She also worked with Channel 4 documentary makers Middlechild TV to raise awareness of the issue and bring it to the attention of Parliament.
Blueprints to make untraceable lethal weapons can now be shared and downloaded easily with a step by step guide available on social media platforms and manufactured with 3D printers that can be bought for as little as £150, presenting a real challenge to law enforcement agencies trying to stop the circulation of firearms on Britain's streets.
The rise of 3D printed guns is a serious concern. Since 2021, the National Crime Agency has reported a 733% rise in the number of cases involving the seizure of 3D printed firearms and components during targeted police searches.
Last year in Birmingham, a local man was convicted of possession of a range of home-made assault rifles manufactured with a 3D printer at home.
The lethal potential of this technology received international media attention after the Luigi Mangione case in New York, where a health insurance CEO was murdered with an untraceable “ghost gun”, parts of which were 3D-printed.
Responding to the announcement, Preet Kaur Gill, Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Edgbaston, said:
“Last year, I presented the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill to Parliament, to shut down a loophole that means it is legal to possess or share a blueprint to make 3D-printed guns, or part-make a 3D-printed gun.
“I am delighted this week the Government announced it will take forward my Bill and close this loophole.
“As organised crime changes, legislation must keep up. Templates to make untraceable lethal weapons can now be shared and downloaded easily via social media, and with hostile actors using social media and other platforms to stir and incite violence on Britain’s streets, it is imperative we act.
“I am delighted that the Government has taken swift action, sending a strong message to criminals seeking to exploit this loophole. I look forward to working together to get the legislation right as it makes its way through Parliament.”
ENDS
Notes
Counter terror-style powers to strengthen ability to smash smuggling gangs - GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/counter-terror-style-powers-to-strengthen-ability-to-smash-smuggling-gangs
Clauses 43 and 44 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill create new criminal offences of possessing, importing, manufacturing, adapting, supplying or offering to supply a template to make 3D printed firearm components in connection with any serious offence as defined in Schedule 1 to the Serious Crime Act 2007. - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/counter-terror-style-powers-to-strengthen-ability-to-smash-smuggling-gangs
In 2023, there were 25 cases involving the seizure of 3D-printed firearm component parts, or items associated with 3D-printing of firearms (such as printers or blueprints) during targeted police searches, an increase on 3 cases in 2021. - https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/threats/nsa-firearms-2024 NSA 2024 - Firearms
Since 2021, the National Crime Agency has reported a 733% rise in the number of cases involving the seizure of 3D printed firearms and components during targeted police searches - https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/threats/nsa-firearms-
Last year in Birmingham, a local man was convicted of possession of a range of home-made assault rifles manufactured with a 3D printer at home - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-65816334
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