Security News > 2022 > September > Convicted felon busted for 3D printing gun parts

A US man has admitted he broke the law when he used 3D printers to make components converting semi-automatic guns to full auto.

Kent Edward Newhouse, 41, a convicted felon of Jacksonville, Mississippi, pleaded guilty [PDF] to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of engaging in business as a manufacturer of firearms.

Newhouse now faces up to 15 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine for each count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as up to 10 years and $250,000 for illegally building and selling guns.

According to court documents [PDF], an informant notified the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in April that Newhouse was attempting to 3D print and manufacture auto sears for Glock pistols.

A couple of days later, a meeting was arranged at Newhouse's home to purchase four auto sears for $400. "During this purchase, Newhouse sold the confidential source an AR-style pistol with an auto sear attached and two additional auto sears for the total cost of $1,800," according to the court documents.

"The use of 3D printers to unlawfully manufacture firearms, and to make devices to convert semi-automatic firearms into machine guns, poses a real and current threat to our communities," ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn said in a statement today.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/09/02/3d_printing_guns/