The guns are not traceable and are therefore sometimes called “ghost arms”.
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.
According to the police, a person can print a gun in 24 hours by using information readily available online. 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.
According to the police, PMFs are made for as low as a few hundreds dollars but sold to organized crime at 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 says that number will rise to around 19,000 in 2020.
In Canada, 200 PMFs have been seized in 2021. One year later, the number was 500.
The police are working closely together with lawmakers to regulate many of the parts that are used to make guns.
They want to make sure that parents, teachers and business owners are aware of any potential risks.
The police advise that to minimize the risk associated with 3D printers you should know exactly what your children or students are printing. You should also be aware of blueprints which are readily available online, but are clearly identified as firearm plans.
You should also not make 3D-printed components for others, according to the police.