Canada seized more than 100 self-manufactured weapons last year and the creator of these weapons plans to make it even easier for Canadians to access them in the future.
The creator of these weapons, Cody Wilson, said he’s the only website that even attempts at restricting designs to Canadians, though he wishes to eradicate all restrictions.
“Most gangs now are kind of friendly with people who can 3D print things for them, this is just the new way,” said Wilson, owner of Defense Distributed in Austin, Texas.
Personally manufactured 3D printed guns fall under the “ghost guns” category. They are unregistered and lack serial numbers, making them untraceable. The anonymity of these guns makes them all the more appealing to criminals.
Gun kit files can be found online effortlessly and are legal to download in Canada. Illegality comes into play the second it’s printed.
Most people create these guns by printing the frame of a pistol and then purchasing the rest of the parts from local vendors. Those parts require no firearm license.
3D printed firearms seized after a driver was stopped for #StuntDriving by #MississaugaOPP on #Hwy403. 18-year-old from Bolton facing weapons and driving charges. #CommunitySafety pic.twitter.com/qO94tUhxtu
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) February 15, 2023
3D printed weapons were seized country-wide. Winnipeg police confirmed with Humber News that they seized 14 in 2022.
The OPP’s Highway Traffic Safety Unit said on Feb. 15 that they seized 3D firearms during a traffic stop for stunt driving. An 18-year-old Bolton teen is charged.
“Buy-in is required from all government levels to curb this problem,” said Winnipeg Const. Dani McKinnon.
Humber News also spoke with Calgary police, which saw a significant increase in 3D printed guns. They seized 17 in 2022 and one the year before.
Wilson believes the increase stems from Canada’s freeze on the sale, purchase and transfer of handguns enacted in 2022.
Canada, however, recently pulled Bill C-21, which would introduce a controversial definition of assault firearms.
For Wilson, there is a political undertone to the manufacture of 3D firearms. He seems content that ghost guns are a dilemma for Canadians. He said there is a strong demand for firearms among Canadians.
“In true classical Liberal style, it’s like, well, you know, what’s going to happen? There’s still a demand, it doesn’t go away,” Wilson said. “So now ghost guns and digital ghost guns have to be the number one way Canadians get their guns, so you can thank (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau.”
Wilson said his goal since the creation of his Defense Distributed brand was to have a problematic political image.
“The original goal from 10 years ago has been accomplished,” he said. “Lots of people do this now and it’s a big problem, even in Canada, in countries where you’re not supposed to have guns.”
Wilson continues to face legal confrontations in the US, admitting he’s avoiding adding Canada to the mixing pot so abruptly.
Despite Wilson’s busy hands, his company still offers shipping of its computerized numerical control (CNC) milling machines to Canada. These machines are specifically designed to cut metal or plastic into weaponry.
He said he did so without a license requirement.
The CNC-made metal gun is about as close to a commercial weapon as possible.
Humber News reached out to a 3D printing firm to determine what the printing community thinks about the firearm-making capability.
Mona Louca, director of marketing with Mississauga’s Annubis3D’s, said weapons should never be printed and hates the thought that they can be produced with the printer.
“And I believe all the reputable service providers in Canada probably have the same standards,” Louca said.
She said their firm has previously turned away numerous customers asking for quotes on gun parts.
“You have a design to make a gun, does that mean you know how to finish it up, test it and put all the safety features into it and make sure it’s not going to hurt you first before it hurts anyone around you?” she asked. “Of course not.”
Louca has been in the industry for more than 10 years. She recalls hearing of instances where people have created and fired these weapons, only to injure themselves in the process.
She said 3D printed guns taint the industry that has otherwise revolutionized the way fields operate. As an example, Louca said medical devices are printed to save time and money.