An 18-year-old man in Australia was accused of using a three-dimensional (3D) printer to create a fully functional gun at home and was charged with gun-related crimes.
CNN reported on 14 that the Western Australia police executed a search warrant early this month and found a 3D printed gun and several other firearms in the man's home.
Source: CCTV News Client
Police officer Blair Smith told media reporters that the 3D printed gun looks like a toy gun, but "has the ability to cause serious harm in our community."
As long as the trigger is pulled, this gun can fire 15 bullets continuously. Police said it only took two days to make the 3D printed gun, and the material cost was less than 40 Australian dollars (about 28 U.S. dollars).
Smith believes that it is "deeply worrying" that this man can make a gun at home using a 3D printer and ready-made materials.
The suspect was charged with manufacturing firearms and ammunition without a license, possessing prohibited weapons and other charges, and will appear in court next week.
In 1996, a "lone wolf" attack occurred in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia. A gunman killed 35 people, which shocked society and prompted the government to introduce a series of strict gun control laws. In Australia, citizens are not allowed to possess fully automatic weapons. The ownership of other types of firearms is strictly regulated and can only be owned by those over 18 years old and holding a valid license.
Since then, Australia has rarely seen mass shootings. The most serious one occurred in 2018, when a farmer in Western Australia shot and killed six family members before committing suicide.
