Prosecutor concerned by increase in 3D printed firearms
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is very concerned by the growing number of firearm parts that have been made with a 3D printer. It is becoming easier and easier to print weapons. “Up to 2021, there were 14 seizures of 3D-printed weapons, after which our experts clearly saw an upward trend,” an OM spokesperson told RTL Nieuws. “We are concerned about this increase.”
Earlier this month, 33-year-old Julian C. from Rhoon in Zuid Holland was sentenced to over 2 years in prison for 3D printing parts for firearms. During a raid of his home in November 2021, the police found nine 3D printers, six of which were in the act of printing FGC-9 firearm parts. FGC stands for Fuck Gun Control. Officers also found several dozen parts like grips and magazines that had already been printed.
During his trial, Julian C. said he learned to print the firearm parts on YouTube and Google. He also said that he didn’t assemble the weapons himself.
“This criminal case shows how big the problem is. Never before have weapons been 3D-printed on such a large scale,” the OM spokesperson said. “For a 3D printed weapon, you do not have to enter the criminal environment. The threshold for purchasing such a weapon is therefore much lower.”
Weapons expert Jas van Driel understands the OM’s concerns, but he stressed that the Netherlands is being flooded with 3D-printed weapons. “What people often forget is that you can print all kinds of parts, but not the barrel and the bolt. You also have to be able to weld to make the model that this case revolves around, the FGC-9. This suspect could not do that,” he told RTL Nieuws. “You need knowledge of this. You have to be able to join steel parts together and have skills and welding equipment. Then you still have to put everything together.”
