The government will take a fresh look at border control laws after receiving a warning from customs that weapons could enter the country manufactured using 3D printer technology.
The Customs New Zealand report says people entering the country can use 3D printers to create weapons that get past traditional border controls. The Act
Maurice Williamson, the customs minister, has expressed concern about the possibilities. He says, “What if you could just download a file off the internet and press print and right there in your own living-room you were printing a fully operational pistol that you then put a bullet into the magazine and walked around and shot somebody? That’s not science fiction – that can be done today.”
He adds that 3D printers can make products such as firearms from powder and resins. Offenders have already used 3D printers for criminal activity. In Australia, criminals manufactured a card skimmer device to steal credit card details. Potential offenders can use the internet to find designs for firearms made using 3D printers.
The Customs report sees 3D printers changing border policing. Last year, the customs minister says the technology has enormous potential but also significant risks. He says, “How do you police a physical border when a vast amount of stuff could get past you by way of a digital file.”
While current legislation may make it unlawful for someone to download and print a firearm, the principle would need testing in court. Existing law may cover the importation of such files as objectionable material.
