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Manchester Police seize components for UK's first 3d printed gun

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By John Glenday, Reporter

October 25, 2013 | 2 min read

Greater Manchester Police have conducted a series of raids in the city targeting individuals suspected of manufacturing homemade gun components using 3d printers.

The operation recovered a plastic magazine and trigger which are currently being assesses by forensics experts to see whether they would make a functioning firearm.

Detective Inspector Chris Mossop of Challenger's Organised Crime Coordination Unit said: "This is a really significant discovery for Greater Manchester Police.

"If what we have seized is proven to be viable components capable of constructing a genuine firearm, then it demonstrates that organised crime groups are acquiring technology that can be bought on the high street to produce the next generation of weapons.

"In theory, the technology essentially allows offenders to produce their own guns in the privacy of their own home, which they can then supply to the criminal gangs who are causing such misery in our communities. Because they are also plastic and can avoid X-ray detection, it makes them easy to conceal and smuggle.

"These could be the next generation of firearms and a lot more work needs to be done to understand the technology and the scale of the problem."

A man from Wythenshawe has been arrested on suspicion of making gunpowder and remains in police custody.

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