Replicator 2 Drive Block like that discovered in the Manchester raids. Thingiverse
Doubts have arisen as to whether the 3D-printed parts discovered in a raid in Manchester were from a gun, with members of the 3D printing community pointing out that they may be innocuous parts for a printer upgrade.
Earlier today we reported that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had raided a property in Wythenshawe and found a suspected 3D-printed trigger and magazine for a gun, but that may not be the case after information from the 3D printing community.
GMP were careful to point out that they were not sure that the parts were from a 3D printed gun such as the “Liberator” designed by controversial US non-profit Defence Distributed, both in the original statement by Detective Inspector Chris Mossop, and the follow up statement by Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood, in which he said:
We need to be absolutely clear that at that this stage, we cannot categorically say we have recovered the component parts for a 3D gun.
What we have seized are items that need further forensic testing by national ballistics experts to establish whether they can be used in the construction of a genuine, viable firearm.
We will also be conducting a thorough analysis of computers we have recovered to establish any evidence of a blueprint on how to construct such a weapon.
Clearly the fact we have seized a 3D printer and have intelligence about the possible production of a weapon using this technology is of concern. It prudent we establish exactly what these parts can be used for and whether they pose any threat.
What this has also done is open up a wider debate about the emerging threat these next generation of weapons might pose.
The worrying thing is for me is that these printers can be used to make certain components of guns, while others can be legitimately ordered over the Internet without arousing suspicion. When put together, this could allow a person to construct a firearm in their own home.
This clarification comes after a number of people in the 3D printing community have come forward noting the similarity of the “gun parts” to printer parts, with the “gun clip” very similar to a Makerbot Thingiverse filament spool holder, and the “gun trigger” similar to a Makerbot Replicator 2 extruder alternative.
