RCMP make two seizures of 3D-printed guns in N.S. as part of national crackdown

Nova Scotia RCMP say they've seized 3D-printed weapons as part of a crackdown on privately-made firearms across the country.

They executed a search warrant at a home in a school zone in Priestville on Tuesday as part of Operation Reproduction, according to a news release, and found a handgun that was in the process of being manufactured using a 3D printer.

Police said they seized "23 firearms, an extendable baton, two suppressors, a pistol tactical long gun conversion kit, a 3D printed extended magazine and brass knuckles," as well as a 3D printer.

RCMP said three people were in the home, and charges are expected to be laid. 

Police also executed a search warrant at a home along the Cabot Trail in Middle River and seized a 3D printer, resin, 16 firearms and ammunition, as well as "electronic devices."

They arrested a woman at the scene but she was later released without being charged. A man was also arrested and has been released with conditions. Police say he's expected to appear in court at a later date.

Weapons seized nationwide

RCMP detachments and police in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Saskatchewan conducted similar searches on Tuesday. They had seized around 440 traditional and 3D-printed firearms and 52 3D printers as a part of the operation, the RCMP said.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Quebec provincial police Chief Insp. Benoit Dube called the operation one of the largest involving weapons seizures that he's taken part in.

In total on Tuesday, police executed 64 search warrants across the eight provinces involved as part of the operation. 

Dube said that so-called "ghost guns" are becoming more common in weapons seizures, accounting for up to 25 per cent of guns seized during police operations so far this year. He added that those arrested in the operation range in age from 16 to 77 years old, and some have links to organized crime.

Law expert says seizures aren't enough

"The RCMP's efforts are addressing part of the issue," said Amanda Turnbull, a former fellow at Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law and an upcoming lecturer at the University of Waikato's Te Piringa Faculty of Law.

Turnbull said while it is illegal to privately manufacture certain weapons and firearms, downloading files from the internet that outline how to print guns is not.

She said there's a growing body of literature on "on how technology enables violence" that spans several academic fields.

"I think it's more than just a criminal law issue. It's an ethical issue, a law and technology issue, a regulating the Internet issue," she said. "I don't have the magic answer ... [but] it's not just the criminal law that's going to do it."

Turnbull said it's likely the guns that are 3D-printed range in durability from one shot per weapon to reusable firearms, but figuring out how to regulate them remains an open question.

"Technology races ahead and law is still trying to catch up."