London-Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, Preet Kaur Gill, has welcomed the Home Office’s decision to introduce new legislation aimed at closing a dangerous loophole related to 3D-printed firearms.
Gill, who has led calls to outlaw 3D guns, expressed her delight over the announcement. She emphasized the importance of the legislation, which will address the loophole that allows people to legally download blueprints for 3D-printed firearms, despite their potential for criminal use.
“I’m delighted by today’s announcement, and I look forward to working with the Government to ensure we get this legislation right once it comes before Parliament,” Gill said. “We need to crack down on these lethal blueprints and equip law enforcement with the necessary powers to act.”
Before the Home Office announcement, Gill had raised concerns in an interview with PoliticsHome that the ability to access and possess 3D-printed firearms blueprints could become a growing threat in the UK. She introduced a bill in Parliament seeking to make it an offence to possess both the blueprints and any parts of firearms made through 3D printing.
As it stands, possessing the blueprints for firearms construction is not illegal—a situation Gill described as “really bizarre.”
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed the department’s plan to introduce legislation to criminalize the possession, supply, and offering of templates or manuals for 3D-printed firearm components with criminal intent.
The announcement marks a significant step forward in addressing the evolving threat posed by 3D-printed firearms and ensuring that law enforcement can take action against those who exploit these technologies for criminal activity.