UK police cast doubt on 3D-printed 'gun parts'

British police said Friday they had seized what appeared to be gun components made on a 3-D printer - then, hours later, cast doubt on the find after technology experts said photos released by police appeared to be of parts for the printer itself. The Greater Manchester Police force initially said officers found what appeared to be a plastic magazine and trigger, along with a 3-D printer, in a raid against suspected gang members.

The force said forensic specialists were examining the parts “to establish if they could construct a genuine device.” One man was being questioned on suspicion of making gunpowder. Police said that if the gun were viable it would be the first such seizure in Britain.

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

After some observers pointed out that the images released by police resembled printer parts, the force toned down its language, saying detectives were attempting to “establish exactly what these parts can be used for and whether they pose any threat.”

3D printer (Image credit: Getty Images)

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

Earlier this year a Texas company said it had successfully test-fired a handgun created with a 3-D printer, and posted blueprints for the weapon online. Such printers can be paired with a home computer to manufacture objects using layers of high-density plastic.

Authorities worry the technology could allow anyone to manufacture guns that would pass unnoticed through metal detectors.

Associated Press