These guns are often called “ghost weapons” because they cannot be traced.
These 3D-printed guns can look like toys, even though they are real.
The police in B.C. Parents and educators are warned about the increasing number of 3D printed guns in the world and the possibility that youth could make one themselves.
“(It’s) incredibly scary, and that’s why we’re here,” said Baltej Dhillon, who works with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.
The police say that a printer could make a handgun in just 24 hours using readily-available data on the internet. The guns can be fully functional with the addition of parts from stores or purchased online.
“They are turning up in criminal investigations, and that is concerning,” said CFSEU-BC Insp. Joel Hussey.
Printers can be used for other weapons.
“When a parent is buying one of these printers, we just want them to be aware their children can print dinosaurs, and they could also possibly print a knife or brass knuckles,” said Dhillon. “So how you use that printer and how you control use of that printer is what’s important.”
Last month the Quebec police announced the arrests of 45 people. They also seized 440 guns including 71 3D-printed private made firearms.
Police say that PMFs can be made for as little as a couple hundred dollars, but they are sold to organized criminals for thousands.
Hussey stated that, while Canada did not see a significant increase in the number of these firearms, global numbers have increased significantly.
In 2020, the U.S. seized 8,500 firearms made by private manufacturers. Hussey stated that this number would rise to 19,000 by 2021.
Comparatively, about 200 PMFs in Canada were seized in the year 2021. One year later, the number was 500.
The police say that they work closely with legislators as many parts used in the manufacture of guns are not regulated.
They want to make sure that parents, teachers and business owners are aware of any potential risks.
To mitigate the risks associated with 3D printing, police say you should be aware of what your students, employees, or children are printing, and that blueprints easily available online are clearly identifiable as plans for firearms.
The police also warned that you shouldn’t produce 3D printed parts for other people.
