3D printed weapons warning and protection. Illegal printer farms and blueprints prohibited. Flemish companies innovate and invest in the defense industry

3D printed weapons have rapidly gained popularity worldwide. Illegal printer farms are also appearing in Belgium and the Netherlands. For now, it's mostly media hype, but in America, it's already a major concern for security services. 3D printers that print drones are a blessing and saving Ukraine from destruction.

3D printed weapons in a negative light

Illegal 3D printed firearms

Illegal 3D printed weapons are more often found in circles where ideology drives the desire for weapon ownership. Usually politically motivated in the fight against oppression, rebellion, or ideology of extreme right, extreme left, or religious extremism. The increasing availability of 3D printed weapons is also reaching criminal circles.

Toy version of the FGC-9 3D printed weapon. No 3D printed weapons or plastic parts are available, and no computer files or blueprints for 3D printers are released on this web store.

Illegally printing 3D weapons is a violation of the weapons law!

There are two types of 3D printed firearms.

• The first type of 3D printed firearms is where almost all parts, including the barrel, are made of plastic.
• The second type of 3D printed firearms are the hybrid 3D printed firearms that contain both 3D printed plastic parts and metal parts that are commercially available, such as the barrel and a metal trigger mechanism.

3D printed firearms with plastic barrels currently have a very limited lifespan and can only survive a few shots. They usually use a small caliber such as .22LR, but larger calibers are also possible. For these, ordinary light bulletproof vests class 2 - SK1 already offer protection.

Hybrid 3D printed firearms are harder to find in Europe due to strict gun laws where most firearm parts are subject to licensing. However, it is possible to make metal weapon parts for hybrid 3D printed firearms oneself. It is immediately clear that one needs much more than just a 3D printer. People who make such hybrid firearms have a complete workshop with 3D printers, a mini lathe and milling machine, and many other tools. (It is legally prohibited to produce weapons illegally, regardless of how it is done). These hybrid printed weapons are usually in the 9x19mm caliber.

against which all NIJ-3A bulletproof vests offer protection.

Popular models in Europe are the German FGC-9 mk2 and the Brazilian Urutau which are hybrid 3D printed semi- or fully automatic weapons in 9x19mm caliber. However, there are various models of 3D printed firearms available on several open-source networks. In some countries, posting blueprints for printing 3D weapons online is prohibited, but not in all countries. Many blueprints are available that are not actual weapon parts but toys!

However, do not imagine that everything is easy and works without problems. It requires a lot of technical knowledge to make a 3D printed firearm work reliably.

Disclaimer: We cannot be held responsible for legal provisions on this page. Existing laws can be linked to software for making illegal weapons and are thus punishable for 3D printing. The evolution of 3D weapons is extremely fast, and changes in the law can quickly become urgent or be implemented!

The police warn

• 3D printed weapons are made in all colors and look like toys, which can be dangerous for children.
• 3D printed firearms can appear in all shapes, even without immediately recognizing them as firearms. They can have the appearance of toys but be real weapons.
• Some 3D printed weapons are not detected by security services' metal detectors.
• The manufacturing of 3D printed weapons or weapon parts is prohibited by the weapons law and is punishable by imprisonment. Enthusiastic hobbyists can get into difficult criminal situations when experimenting with 3D printed weapons.
• 3D printed weapons are not always predictable, can explode, and cause injuries to the shooter. The print material, printing method, and density can significantly influence the strength of the 3D printed weapon. If they work, a 9mm bullet from a 3D printed weapon is just as deadly as a 9mm bullet from a normal weapon. Link to bulletproof vests against 9mm bullets

3D printed firearms have not yet been used in crimes in Belgium or the Netherlands. The performance of 3D printed firearms is still inferior, and their share in crimes is marginal. Nevertheless, vigilance is maintained to ensure that a sudden technological evolution does not make 3D printed firearms a major threat to society.

Schools and 3D printers

Technical schools teach their students early on to work with simple drawing programs such as Tinkercad, SketchUp or Fusion 360, with which these drawings can be quickly converted into a computer file for a 3D printer.

• Technical drawing is part of a technical education in schools.
• Designing is artistic and can be part of a curriculum.
• Designing is occupational therapy, just like doing puzzles.

The techniques of 3D printing are also quickly taught in technical schools, where knowledge of material and printer density plays an important role.

3D Space Blaster toy.

There is only a very thin line between 3D printed toys and real 3D printed firearms. 

It is therefore easy for a technical school student to design something that looks like a weapon component or qualifies as a 3D printed firearm or component. It then becomes a difficult task for the police to distinguish toys from real firearms. 

Raising children's awareness not to print components that resemble real weapons or ammunition, and warnings about the risk of explosion of 3D printed weapons would certainly be appropriate here!  Extremism and political polarization can incite children aged 14-15 to make 3D printed bombs and weapons to kill people. 

According to an FBI agent 

• The biggest danger comes from 3D printed bombs that can be attached to a drone. Terrorist attacks with drones are a reality! (e.g., thwarted terrorist attack on Prime Minister Bart De Wever)
• 3D printed weapons are only limited by the amount of imagination of the maker.
• 3D printed firearms look like toys, which can be dangerous for children.
• It is not the creation of 3D printed weapons by someone legally allowed to possess a weapon that is a major problem, but rather that some individuals use such 3D printed firearms with criminal intentions. 

 

The Netherlands concerned about 3D printed weapon parts (2025)

Danish volunteers use 3D printers at home to make weapon parts for Ukraine.

The Netherlands is currently concerned about the 3D printing of parts for drones, which are being made as civilian support and sent to Ukraine. The concept of a weapon component is therefore much broader than just firearm components. The cabinet confirms that the export and manufacture of components for weapons fall under the arms law and are prohibited for individuals who do not have a license for them. 

Currently, there is a revision of the Dutch Arms Act for 3D printed firearms. (ed.) It is not up to a police officer to determine whether a 3D printed component is a toy or a real weapon component! This is the work of a weapons expert. An overload of police services due to 3D printed components could be a consequence of an ill-considered strict arms law.  

P.S. In Belgium, one must also be careful when exporting anything, as there is a Catch All formula stating that any product that can be used to arm military forces can be considered an arms export! 

 

3D printed weapons in a positive light.

3D printers are a blessing for Ukraine because they are widely available to the civilian population and are used to print drone parts. In this way, they support the needs of the army in the war against the Russians. 3D printers are also used worldwide in various companies for general applications.

Investments in defense

Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about defense and the many Flemish companies that are trying to make a contribution. The number of companies providing 3D printing services is increasing rapidly, and more and more private individuals are starting to print plastic parts themselves with 3D printers.

Until recently, the technology for economically producing 3D printed weapons was still in its infancy, but it cannot be denied that 3D printers are getting better and better and the raw materials offer more and more possibilities. 3D printers are already being used in defense to print parts of weapon systems, to print cheap drones and bombs, and are also used internationally to print weapons for rebels.

The pressure from the Flemish Government, which states that only Dual-Use goods or production are allowed in Flanders, encourages Flemish 3D printing companies to attempt to produce 3D printed weapons. Flanders has enormous economic potential that can be used for defense. The 3D printing of weapons is gradually taking its place within defense. 

Advantages of 3D printed weapons and ammunition.

• The mass production of 3D printed weapons can be organized in companies, by the population, or by the military itself, allowing the army to quickly equip soldiers, reservists, or volunteers with weapons and ammunition. (same as with drones in Ukraine) 
• Can be used for the production of short-range defensive weapons, thereby relieving the standard production lines at FN-Herstal or allowing them to produce more high-quality weapons. 
• Can be made by the population for the purpose of kinetic anti-drone PDW
• Limitation of dependence on rare raw materials such as high-grade steel, copper, aluminum, and lead. 
• Can be made on a cheap standard 3D printer with a range of 256x256x256mm. High-quality 3D printers can be used to print small parts such as ammunition.
• The plastic can be recycled to make new weapons or other parts.

Disadvantages of these 3D printed weapons and ammunition

• These 3D printed weapons can be illegally manufactured anywhere without weapons registration. The number of ghost guns is increasing rapidly.
• 3D printed weapons have not undergone technical inspection and may be unsafe due to print density and material strength.
• The 3D printed ammunition contains a steel penetrator or projectile, with or without a sharp point, which is comparable to the performance of a 5.7x28mm cartridge.
• Simple construction and limited power. (can be equipped with necessary safety features such as automatic bolt safety, grip safety, trigger safety)
• Some 3D printed weapons cannot be detected with metal detectors at security checks.
• Heavier bulletproof vests are needed to stop 3D printed ammunition. (link to our heavy bulletproof vests)

If all 3D printers in Flanders were to print weapon parts, every Fleming could have their own 3D printed weapon within a week. This would immediately end the shortage of weapons and the отставание on the Russians!

Resilience and protection

Across Europe, there is an understandable increase in the sale of weapons to civilians. For Belgium, gun ownership is regulated by the Belgian Weapons Act. In principle, anyone with a certificate of good conduct and morals for gun ownership can register with a recognized shooting club and, after some time, legally acquire a weapon.

In addition to gun ownership for civilians, it is also possible to protect oneself against the threat of war. All types of bulletproof vests are permitted in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Most Class 3 bulletproof vests or plate carriers can stop projectiles from 3D printed ammunition. For even heavier weapons, there is still a Class 4.

Discrete bulletproof vest class III+

Discrete bulletproof vests 3A can be equipped with thin and light hard bulletproof plates class 3 that can stop steel projectiles from 3D firearms.

Phantomleaf WASP Z3A plate carrier class 3 ICW + 3A bulletproof

Class 3 stops, among others, soft steel core bullets 7.62x36 MSC AK47

Class 4 stops hard steel core bullets 7.62x51 NATO AP.

Deluxe bulletproof vest 3a MT-PRO-GEN7 black Engarde + 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Discrete bulletproof vests against shootings and knife attacks to be worn invisibly under clothing. For women, men, and children.

Dual Use discrete vest class 3 or 4

Protection for journalists

A bulletproof vest that offers full protection is recommended for journalists.

Protection against knife attack or stabbing

DCS Multicam AK 7.62 plate carrier + side plates NIJ4+(04)

Various Class 4 bulletproof plate carriers are available for protection against Kalashnikov assault rifles. Multicam is the new camouflage pattern now used by the Belgian army.

Emergency kit 72 hours realistic portable 8kg seniors and weaker persons

In several European countries, it is recommended to have an emergency kit. Various types of emergency kits are available.

Conclusion?

Virtually all existing machines can be used to illegally manufacture weapons.

• Weapons can be made on 3D printers
• Weapons can be made on mini hobby lathes and milling machines
• Plastic or aluminum weapon parts can be made on CNC controlled mini woodworking machines
• Many legal freely available weapons or their parts can be converted or used as real weapons.
• The illegal arms trade is the main supplier of illegal weapons

The Belgian arms law is sufficiently clear and comprehensive and prohibits all production of weapons and parts for individuals who do not have a permit for it, regardless of how they are made!

Meanwhile, in America, the share of 3D printed (hybrid) firearms in criminal circles has increased significantly. The main cause is the unregistered "Ghost guns" that are now appearing everywhere. The police cannot link unregistered 3D printed firearms to a seller, an owner, or other crimes. Therefore, 3D printed ghost guns have become a curse in American society.

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