UPDATE: Authorities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are sounding the alarm as the issue of 3D-printed guns continues to escalate. Recent reports confirm that police have seized 11 3D-printed weapons since the start of 2023, raising immediate concerns about public safety and the urgent need for uniform legislation.
Earlier this month, ACT Policing arrested a 24-year-old Gungahlin man for allegedly manufacturing both a gun and firearm parts using a 3D printer. The arrest comes amidst growing fears that as 3D printing technology evolves, it may attract criminal organizations looking to bypass stringent firearm regulations. An ACT Policing spokesman noted, “It remains a continuing issue… as the technology for these items matures.”
The implications are stark: 3D-printed firearms are unregistered, untraceable, and can be easily produced in residential garages. This troubling trend is mirrored by incidents like that of Luigi Mangione, who allegedly used a 3D-printed gun in a New York shooting last year.
While Australia is known for its strict gun control laws, the ACT is among four jurisdictions lacking specific regulations addressing the access and possession of digital blueprints for 3D-printed firearms. South Australia recently moved to ban possession of such blueprints, highlighting the growing divide in legislative responses across the country.
Dr. Andrew Hemming, an associate professor of law at the University of Southern Queensland, warns that the widespread availability of firearm design files online poses significant challenges for regulators. “Regulating 3D guns or ghost guns is very difficult,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need for national standards.
In stark contrast to the ACT’s inaction, Western Australia has made progress by criminalizing the ownership of unauthorized firearms technology, including 3D printers. Dr. Hemming advocates for an immediate agenda item in the Standing Council of Attorneys-General to establish uniform laws against 3D-printed guns across Australia.
The risks are further compounded by the recent seizure of over 1,000 firearms and parts by the Australian Border Force, including 281 made via 3D printing. This underscores the pressing need for comprehensive reforms in firearms legislation.
A spokesperson from the ACT government confirmed that both they and ACT Policing are working towards enhancing firearms management and safety. This includes plans to introduce specific offenses related to digital blueprints, aligning with broader reforms to implement a National Firearms Register.
As the situation develops, experts urge immediate action to prevent Australia from emulating the more permissive gun culture seen in the United States.
The conversation surrounding 3D-printed guns is rapidly evolving, and lawmakers must act swiftly to ensure public safety. What happens next could determine the future of gun control in Australia.
Stay tuned as this story develops.
