Doubts over ‘3D printed gun parts’ seized in raid

Police initially claimed to have seized a “plastic magazine and trigger” that could form a viable weapon, but now say they “cannot catergorically” confirm if they are gun components.

Police had said the seized parts are the “next generation” of firearms, which could be created by criminals in the privacy of their homes and smuggled with ease, avoiding X-ray detection.

The supposed gun parts were discovered, along with a 3D printer, when officers from Greater Manchester Police executed a series of warrants in the Bagley area.

The parts are being forensically examined by weapons experts to determine if they could construct a genuine gun.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood said: “We need to be absolutely clear that, at this stage, we cannot categorically say we have recovered the component parts for a 3D gun.”

Bullet magazine

Speaking on condition of anonymity to Press Association, the owner of the shop, “Andrew”, said the “trigger” and “magazine for bullets” were parts of the printer – which he uses to make models.

The shop was closed today and police had seized his computer and other equipment.

In tears, he said: “I’m angry, disappointed and hurt. This could kill me, this could threaten the business.

If found to work they it be the first ever seizure of this kind in the UK.

Gunpowder arrest

A man has been arrested on suspicion of making gunpowder and remains in custody for questioning.

The raid was part of Challenger, the largest ever multi-agency operation to target organised crime in Manchester.

Detective Inspector Chris Mossop, of Challenger’s Organised Crime Coordination Unit, called the find a “really significant discovery”.

“If what we have seized is proven to be viable components capable of constructing a genuine firearm, then it demonstrates that organised crime groups are acquiring technology that can be bought on the high street to produce the next generation of weapons.

“In theory, the technology essentially allows offenders to produce their own guns in the privacy of their own home, which they can then supply to the criminal gangs who are causing such misery in our communities.

He explained that plastic weapons can avoid X-ray detection making makes them easy to conceal and smuggle.

“These could be the next generation of firearms and a lot more work needs to be done to understand the technology and the scale of the problem.

“If what we have seized today can, as we suspect, be used to make a genuine firearm then today will be an important milestone in the fight against this next generation of homemade weapons.

The technology works by allowing anyone with access to a 3D printer to download designs for guns or components. The printers squirt molten plastic to produce 3D shapes.