3D-printed guns: Your ideas to stop alarming rise homemade weapons

As the use of 3D-printed guns continues its alarming rise, here’s what you believe the government needs to do to step in and stop it in its tracks.

The rise of 3D-printed guns being found on Queensland criminals has drummed up debate for readers, from the possibility of a printer buyback to the introduction of Castle Law.

Once considered “emerging technology”, police told News Corp Australia these guns were now commonplace.

Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said searches were uncovering privately manufactured firearms that also included snap guns and modified gel blasters.

Officers even caught an offender while they were printing a small handgun.

UniSQ Criminal law expert, Associate Professor Andrew Hemming, said Australia the gun control laws Australia prided itself on following the Port Arthur Massacre were “starting to unravel”.

Much like the firearms buyback of 1996, some commenters forecast the same could happen with 3D printers.

“Are they going to have a 3D printer buy back scheme,” Adrian Kruger wrote.

“Please hand in all your 3D printers at the local 3D printer buy back location,” David Miller said.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 11, 2013, software engineer Travis Lerol takes aim with an unloaded Liberator handgun in the backyard of his home. The Liberator is the first gun that can be made entirely with parts from a 3D printer and computer-aided design (CAD) files downloaded from the internet. A US gun rights activist and entrepreneur vowed on July 31, 2018, to fight attempts to block his free publication of blueprints for 3D-printed firearms, as US President Donald Trump signalled he was sceptical about whether the plans should be readily available. / AFP PHOTO / Robert MACPHERSON

Meanwhile some commenters suggested introducing castle doctrine to allow firearms in homes for self-defence.

“So introduce castle doctrine and allow homeowners/tenants to keep firearms in the home, even the playing field and they’ll soon stop,” Steve Taylor said.

“Well when the government won't do anything about this problem, of course we have to do it for ourselves,” Clinton Benson agreed.

“Makes a good argument for castle law and self defence guns in the home,” Doug Leeson said

Others commenters questioned how criminals weren’t injured using these weapons.

“How do they print barrels and ammo, they are likely to blow up in the users hand,” George Stumkat said

“They know nothing about chamber pressures,” Adrian Kruger wrote.

“What kind of filament do you use to withstand the heat from a bullet going off?” Ian Niemeyer asked.

Meanwhile Samuel Bellzekom said he believed the risk of making firearms difficult to obtain had led to the creation of a black market.

“Well … just like tobacco. Drive it underground and then there is a market,” he wrote.