What appears as innocent plastic components resembling Lego pieces are actually lethal weapons being manufactured in suburban homes across Canberra, with authorities warning that 3D-printed firearms represent a growing and dangerous trend.
The Rising Threat in Canberra's Suburbs
ACT Policing has revealed that 11 separate 3D-printed weapons have been confiscated since 2023, matching the seizure rate of other homemade firearms in recent years. The alarming trend came into sharp focus earlier this month when investigators arrested a 24-year-old Gungahlin man after he allegedly used a 3D printer to manufacture a functional firearm and multiple weapon components.
According to police spokespersons, while no direct connections have been established between outlaw motorcycle gangs and 3D-printed gun production, there are serious concerns that criminal organisations will increasingly adopt this technology as it becomes more sophisticated and accessible.
The Legislative Gap in Australia's Capital
The ACT remains one of only four Australian jurisdictions without specific legislation targeting the downloading, possession, and distribution of digital blueprints required to manufacture 3D-printed firearms. This legal void creates significant challenges for law enforcement attempting to combat this emerging threat.
Dr Andrew Hemming, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Southern Queensland, emphasised the urgency of the situation. "Legislators in NSW and Tasmania have made downloading a digital blueprint for the manufacture of firearms an offence which should be standard across all jurisdictions," he stated.
The contrast between territories became starkly evident in a recent case where an ACT teacher printed and assembled a firearm, then brought it into a school to demonstrate 3D-printing technology to students. Had this incident occurred in New South Wales or Tasmania, the educator could have faced charges simply for downloading the digital firearm file.
National Concerns and International Precedents
The global nature of this threat was highlighted by the case of 27-year-old American Luigi Mangione, who allegedly used a 3D-printed firearm in the shooting of a health insurance executive in New York late last year. Closer to home, Australian Border Force officials intercepted more than 280 3D-printed firearms and components among over 1000 seized weapons and parts last month.
Dr Hemming identified several critical challenges in regulating 3D-printed weapons: "There are considerable challenges to regulation including decentralised manufacturing in the home; firearm design files are widely available online and on the dark web; 3D guns are untraceable; and the evolving technology makes it very difficult for regulators to stay abreast of new materials and designs."
Western Australia took progressive steps in 2022 by criminalising the possession of unauthorised firearms technology, including 3D printers specifically intended for weapon manufacturing. South Australia followed suit last month with the introduction of a Firearms Amendment Bill targeting digital blueprints.
Path Forward for National Security
An ACT government spokesperson confirmed that work is underway to address these legislative gaps, including developing specific offences related to digital blueprints and implementing the National Firearms Register.
Dr Hemming issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of inaction: "We may begin to emulate the US in the future. 3D guns should be an urgent item on the agenda of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General with the objective of having uniform 3D-gun laws in Australia."
As technology continues to advance, authorities face an ongoing battle against what one police spokesperson described as "a lethal item that can be produced in a home" specifically designed to circumvent Australia's strict firearm regulations that govern traditional weapons.
