Getty/BBC3D-print guns can become a “weapon of choice” for criminals and violent extremists from all over the world, a specialist has told the BBC. These DIY, unaware firearms have been recovered in several recent criminal cases, including Alleged use of 3D-affected guns In the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare.
The BBC trending has investigated the global spread of 3D-crushed guns in social media platforms including Telegram, Facebook and Instagram, as well as how websites offer guides.
The 3D-print guns, often described as a type of “ghost” gun, are unaware firearms that can be assembled using 3D printers, downloadable blueprints and some basic materials. Designed to avoid gun-control laws, technology has moved rapidly over the past decade, the latest models are capable of firing several rounds without the breakdown of their plastic components.
According to Nick Suplina of the US-based gun control organization, every town, 3D-crushed guns can become a “weapon of choice” for people planning acts of violence: “The material has improved, the cost has reduced, and these blueprint access is a high,” he said.
The BBC trending investigation began with guns advertisements on Instagram and Facebook. In October 2024, Tech Transparency Project, a non-profit that monitors technology companies, found Hundreds of guns advertising – including 3D -printed and other ghost guns – appear on the meta platforms in violation of its policies.
Meta refused to comment on the conclusions at that time. Several months later, similar gun advertisements were found in BBC trending, which are still seen active in the advertising database of Mata.
Meta/BBCMany of these gun advertisements directed potential customers to Telegram or WhatsApp channels. On Telegram, we found that various types of guns are displayed for sale. Some of these appeared 3D-printed. A telegram account with over 1,000 customers claimed to ship arms globally.
The BBC trending contacted the account, which called himself a “Jessie”, to confirm if it would be ready to break the law by shipping 3D-crushed guns in the UK. Within an hour, Jessie offered us a liberator or a lock switch.
A lock switch (also known as Auto Sear) is a small, sometimes 3D-crushed part that converts a pistol into an automated weapon.
The Liberator, designed by “Crypto-Anarkist” in 2013 Kodi WilsonThe world’s first widely available 3D-printed gun, capable of firing a shot.
JC claimed that he could smuggle the weapon through the UK customs, asked for a payment of £ 160 in bitcoin, then suggested a bank transfer to an UK account which we could not trace.
When we later approached Jessie, recognizing ourselves as BBCs, they admitted that selling weapons in Britain is illegal, but looks unexpected.
“I run my business, sell some straps [slang for weapons] Online, “he said.
We did not proceed with the transaction to test Jessie’s claims. While his accidental attitude suggested that he could be a scammer, his ability to advertise on meta and operate on telegram clearly highlights flaws that can exploit the actual gun dealer.
On contact, Meta told the BBC that the advertisements we had highlighted were “automatically disabled to suit our policies”, and its advertisement to join the library does not mean that the advertisement is still alive or visible “.
Telegram said that JC’s account was constantly removed to break his policies. A spokesperson said: “Weapons selling is clearly forbidden from the terms of Telegram’s service and whenever it is revealed, it is removed. Moderators have been empowered with custom AI and machine learning tools, which monitors the public parts of the platform and accepts reports to remove millions of pieces of harmful materials each day.
However, people looking for 3D-affected guns do not need to buy readymade through social media. They can collect their own. Models such as FGC-9 are designed using only 3D-printed plastic and renovated metal components, which require no commercially available gun parts.
A researcher at King’s College London, Dr. Rajan Basra says, “You are essentially becoming DIY Gunmith.” However, “This is not easy to print a sheet of A4 paper in your office printer.”
As is BBC Was reported earlierThere are free step-by-step guide and downloadable blueprint websites to create a 3D-affected gun.
One such guide was written by Matthew Larosier, which is a gun right attorney in Florida. He is associated with the Global Pro-3D-Principal Gun community, with several members in the USA that see the second amendment rights to bear weapons as human rights.
The BBC trending challenged him about why he is sharing information to help people make a deadly weapon.
He replied: “This is just information. This is more zero. The fact is that there is an use of information that makes you uncomfortable, I understand and I sympathize with it, but it is not right to say that it is more than information.”
Asked about the risk of this “information” being used in school shooting or massacre, he replied: “I thank God that has not happened.” He quoted Myanmar as a country where, in his view, 3D-crushed guns serve a positive cause.
GettyMyanmar is the only known case of 3D-crushed guns being used in the currently active military conflict. The use of FGC-9 by resistance fighters against jute has been widely reported.
But as BBC Burmese’s HNN MO discovered, many of these groups have stopped using 3D-printed guns. It is despite the resistance forces producing hundreds of FGC-9s in 2022 and 2023, priced at ten times lower than machine guns on the black market.
Rebel leaders Hanin Mo cited the tight control of jute on imports of essential materials such as glue and metal. Additionally, these groups now have more traditional weapons at their disposal, such as RPG or machine guns.
Myanmar example exhibits the boundaries of the current 3D-crushed guns for military use. But globally, their spread is clear. There are many countries Keeping in mind the laws To convince the occupation of the blueprint. there are also Call for 3D printer manufacturers To block the printing of gun parts, in the same way that traditional printers restrict the printing of the currency. But can such measures be effective.
HNIN MO, BBC Additional Reporting by Burmese
