In recent years, advancements in 3D printing have made the technology increasingly accessible to the general public. While initially celebrated for its immense potential across various industries, 3D printing has raised alarm bells due to its misuse in producing untraceable firearms . Ghost guns, as they are commonly known, pose a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies worldwide, as they lack serial numbers and can be virtually impossible to trace back to their origin. Evansville, Indiana, has recently found itself at the forefront of this concerning trend.
In a high-profile case that arose in January, 39-year-old Marquel D. Payne was recently charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of a machinegun after Evansville Police officers discovered a cache of 3D printed guns, gun components, and conversion devices (or ‘switches’) within his home. The investigation, led by the Evansville-Vanderburgh Crime Gun Intelligence Center, uncovered approximately 60 plastic machinegun conversion devices, designed to provide semi-automatic and single-fire weapons with automatic capabilities.
3D printer, guns, and gun components seized on January 31st. (Photo Credits: US Attorney’s Office)
US Attorney Zachary Myers, representing the Southern District of Indiana, expressed deep concern regarding the seized 3D printed guns and conversion devices, stating, “Getting illegal machinegun conversion devices off our streets is a critical public safety priority. Fully automatic weapons and untraceable ‘ghost guns’ pose a serious danger to our communities, especially when they are in the hands of people who have no lawful business possessing any firearm. ” This echoes concerns raised last month by the Evansville Police Department, suggesting that there is an increasing issue of machinegun switches within the city.
According to Evansville detectives, Payne caught the police’s attention when detectives received information from two unidentified people, stating that the suspect had made and attempted to sell 3D printed switches and homemade guns, advertising that they were untraceable. The arrest has caught the attention of federal authorities in recent weeks, with the US Department of Justice announcing Payne will be tried at the federal level.
This case bears similarities to one from last September, where a federal judge in Indianapolis sentenced a 31-year-old man to more than seven years in federal prison for possession of a machine gun. Prosecutors claimed Payne also used 3D printers to produce switches, which he subsequently sold for financial gain.
Seized 3D printed gun ‘switches’ (Photo Credits: Evansville Police Department)
Assessing the Emergence of 3D Printed Guns and Gun Components
There has been a growing focus on the emergence of 3D printed switches, raising concerns about the potential for misuse by enabling criminals to modify firearms into weapons capable of rapid firing. These switches, also labeled as ‘Glock switches’ and ‘auto sears’, are classified as machine guns under federal law for their ability to enable automatic firing when applied to firearms. Even when not installed, these conversion devices are illegal to possess or sell. With the rise of accessible 3D printing technology, it may become increasingly difficult for police to combat illegal firearm production, as switches can be sought to bypass traditional gun regulations. Speaking on these challenges, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, expressed:
Unfortunately, these deadly conversion devices continue to show up in our communities. US law has long recognized that automatic weapons pose a special risk to public safety, both through the sheer volume of bullets fired and the likelihood that innocent bystanders will be injured or killed. Combine that with an untraceable firearm and an unregistered silencer in the hands of a convicted felon, and it is clear that this individual is solely interested in feeding violence in southern Indiana.”
The investigation currently involves collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Evansville Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), the Evansville Police Department, and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. If found guilty, Payne could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. For more information, click here .
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View Comments (40)
Causing issues with the enforcement of unConstitutional laws (all of them) is exactly why 3D printing is the greayest thing since sliced bread.
Our lord and savior (if you ask them), .gov has been enforcing unConstituional firrarm laws since 1934.
Thankfully,several cases due to end up in The Supreme Court of The United States will uphold and support the Constitution, and rule the vast majority, if not ALL firearm laws as unConstitutional.
The Government is not concerned about the safety of the community.some one should use the back of their hand and apply force to the cheek of U.s. Att. Myers for the stupidity he speaks. Mr.Myers most likely would not know how to switch the safety off or even tell the difference between semi and automatic weapons. THE GOVERMENT DOES NOT WANT YOU THE AMERICAN CITIZEN TO BE ARMED... PERIOD. My opinion is that every citizen 18 yrs and older should be required to take a courses on firearms and have a automatic gun in their home. If they choose. Hope everyone watches A24 civil war in April .....
Goes to show that no matter how many laws the anti-gun people pass, no matter how many dead bodies the anti-gun people step on screaming that they need more laws and guns need to be banned..........this shows that criminals will find a way to do what they want, how they want, whenever they want.
So just stop blaming law abiding citizens for owning firearms and try working with us for a solution.
Yes, criminals will still commit crimes. So legalize bank robbery, fraud, murder, assault. People keep doing it anyway. Duh!
Taking guns away from LAW ABIDING citizens will not stop criminals! Look at all the cities with the highest crime. They are Democratic states with the toughest gun laws and crime is crazy because the law abiding citizen can’t protect themselves and the criminals know it. This is like us trying to take vehicles away because of drunk drivers!
Hey look, criminals aren't following existing laws! Maybe they'll follow some new ones, lol. It won't stop them. Never has. Never will. These unconstitutional laws only make new criminals out of previously law abiding citizens, and leave us at the mercy of the criminals (and government thugs).
Don't blame the printers....people have been using all sorts of stuff to make those pieces and will continue no matter what laws are created....stop taking away from lawful people....criminals don't follow the law anyway....they just want our rights so use the criminal for the excuse....
Just because you are too mentally challenged to untederstan the law does not mean everybody else is. The right to manufacture your own arms is held by the SCOTUS as constitutional. So why don't you take your fake penis/vagina up your ass
I'm really surprised that this pro gun piece hasn't locked the comments. Usually they don't want law abiding citizens saying their piece. So kudos on this. I commend that effort. In order to try and put my 2 cents in to help further the olive branch that was extended.
I fully agree as a pro gun person, to prosecute the criminals that use anything to harm others. Be it plastic, metal or explosive material. Harming others is bad, no matter the method. Agree to vanquish the evil.
As a pro gun person. I would like for this to better reflect that I enjoy the hobby of safe firearms and the government should leave its people alone in all aspects of our lives. It would be in its best interest.
Maybe dont post photos of the illegal mods sprawled out on a table? Anyone with moderate cad skills could make models of those from just the photos. The bambu printer, smartphones, tablet, AR, etc. even provide the perfect reference for scaling dimensions!
Or they could just download them. Stop being stupid.
Tell us you don't understand how 3D works without telling us you don't understand how 3D printing works.
How about tasking the manufacturers of 3d printers add a machines serial number to every print. And a record of each serial kept in an database. That would give the traceability option.
How do you add a serial number without affecting the the integrity of the item without a marring surface or altering the materials? Please explain.
That isn't as simple as it sounds, and would be trivial to defeat even if it was simple to implement.
Since a 3D printer is designed to be able to produce many different shapes, where does the serial number go?
3D printed pieces are made of plastic that is designed to be melted. If you did print a visible serial number, a soldering iron would be a quick way to remove the serial number.
You also have to consider how many 3D printers are never used for anything illegal, and if implementing a serial number is worth the effort.
And, finally, most 3D printers are manufactured overseas and have easily modifiable firmware.
No thanks Nazi
Calm down, Hittler
Or perhaps, in a grand display of forward-thinking, we could outright ban the existence of 3D printers. Because, truly, who in their right mind needs the unfettered ability to conjure objects out of thin air? Clearly, such wizardry is reserved for the dark arts practitioners of the underworld—those with a diabolical plot to... print more things. Yes, envision a future untouched by the chaos of home-manufactured gadgets and gizmos. Spare a thought for the children, who might grow up in a paradise free from the tyranny of instant toy creation. A bold new world where 'filament' is thought to be a lost language, and 'extruder' is mistaken for an exotic dance move. This, my friends, is the dream we must aspire to—for the sake of posterity and the war on unregulated creativity.
I know since we're going to go to that ridiculous extent why don't we just brand a number on the forehead of every single person that owns a 3D printer a gun or believes in free speech. What troubles me so much is how fascist The liberal side of our politics has become oh and the ultra conservatives are just as fascist as the older liberals. Stay out of my pockets stay out of my house stay out of my business and we'll get along just fine you don't have to worry about me The only time you have to worry is when you start taking my freedoms.
The FBI needs to pay you a visit! You sound like a walking time bomb
live free or die
Most mass shootings are done by people who have NEVER been convicted of a crime. The problem with guns is that, many have been manufactured and sold legally, and there is no getting rid of them. So either you get one or you don't. Would be bad guys don't care if you have a gun or not, and would rather you not so you are easy for them to victimize. The laws against felons having guns accomplishes nothing! So many guns manufactured and now the ability to manufacture at home if one desires. As far as fully automatic, I think it's a waste of ammo. Each to his or own though! Would be thugs shooting semi or fully automatic don't care if they don't hit their desired target or other people.
Actually the key to reducing gun violence isn't banning guns ....but perhaps increase the quality of people's live and removing misery which in turn builds anger and resentment.....pretty hard to be angry and wanna go on a shooting spree when you have a full belly and and a roof and not being constantly worried......bet it stops 90% of gun violence..... it'll never be completely eliminated because sometimes people are just plain crazy ....even if you ban all guns ......all you need for a gun is a tube a propellant and a projectile ....so trying to ban all guns is impossible even if legislation passed