British police have seized a 3D printer and parts for what could be the country's first ever "homemade" 3D printed gun and arrested a man on suspicion of making gunpowder.
A plastic magazine and trigger, which police suspect could be fitted together to make a firearm, were found in Wythenshawe in Manchester yesterday.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said forensic experts were assessing whether the parts could make a viable gun.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of making gunpowder and remains in custody, the BBC reported today.
A police spokesman said if the tests showed the parts could make a functioning weapon it would be the "first ever seizure of this kind in the UK".
Detective Inspector Chris Mossop of GMP, said: "If what we have seized is proven to be viable components capable of constructing a genuine firearm, then it demonstrates that organised crime groups are acquiring technology that can be bought on the high street to produce the next generation of weapons.
"In theory, the technology essentially allows offenders to produce their own guns in the privacy of their own home, which they can then supply to the criminal gangs who are causing such misery in our communities.
"Because they are also plastic and can avoid X-ray detection, it makes them easy to conceal and smuggle."
"If what we have seized today can, as we suspect, be used to make a genuine firearm then today will be an important milestone in the fight against this next generation of homemade weapons," he added.
3D printing technology works by building up layer upon layer of material - typically plastic - to create complex solid objects.
The world's first gun made with 3D printer technology was successfully fired in the US in May.
