Ever downloaded the plans to print a gun with a 3D printer? Under new NSW laws, you could be up for a massive jail term.
The Firearms and Weapons Prohibition Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 passed the NSW Parliament last week, and states that anyone with a 3D print file for a gun can go to jail for up to 14 years.
The Bill will “create a new offence of possessing digital blueprints for the manufacture of firearms on 3D printers or electronic milling machines”, and ” amends the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 to create a new offence of possessing digital blueprints for the manufacture of prohibited weapons on 3D printers or electronic milling machines”.
It’s part of new legislation designed to crack down on gun crime in Australia. Those in possession of stolen guns are up for heavy fines, as well as those who modify identifying markings on guns in the state of NSW.
There are a few loopholes to the new 3D printed gun crackdown, however. The Bill allows for those with a specific license to produce 3D printed guns, and also exempts police officers from researching the weapons.
NSW Police have already conducted extensive research on 3D printed guns, test firing the original Liberator pistol back in 2013.