3D printing is capable of some amazing things. However, as with every technology, a disruptive technology can go too far in allowing us to exploit possibilities. The printers can now even print guns for users and, in Japan, one man was arrested as a result.
Yoshitomo Imura, 27 years old, was arrested in Kawasaki, Japan. He was caught possessing not just one 3D printed gun, but five and two of them could fire real ammunition. Although his arrest occurred last month, it wasn't reported on until now.
Japan is, apparently, a country with strict anti-gun laws so it makes sense that they would treat even plastic guns as something serious, especially if some of them can fire real bullets. In 1958, Japan passed [pdf] a firearms and sword possession control law that was amended in '93 and '95. It was first passed due to fears of organized crime, but amended due to the threat of general public also gaining easy access to these weapons.
What makes this arrest stand out despite the strict gun laws in Japan is that the guns are plastic and self-manufactured. Imura was dumbfounded due to his arrest because of this.
"I produced the guns, but I didn't think it was illegal," he said to investigators as told by Japan Times. "I can't complain about the arrest if the police regard them as real guns."
Police think he downloaded blueprints for the guns from overseas. What brought him to the attention of local authorities was that he produced videos of the guns he manufactured. What makes authorities, not just in Japan, but worldwide, worry about 3D printed guns is that due to their non-metallic nature, they may not be detected by detectors in public places or airports.
It will be interesting how long it takes before the criminal element gets a hold of 3D printers and the governments around the world start regulating them further or blueprints for them.
