criminal-law united-kingdom firearms is-x-legal
Is it legal in the UK to 3D print a firearm design if it is made impossible to fire?
<p>In the UK firearm regulations are very strict, but I would like to learn about them like in the other countries.
Is it okay to print 3D gun designs if I make sure none of the parts can shoot real bullets by using weak plastic that would explode in the hand if fired with a real bullet?</p>

<p><strong>Is it legal in the UK to 3D print a firearm design if it is made impossible to fire?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Maybe, maybe not</strong></p>
<p>If the result is merely a toy, trinket etc then there is no offence <em>per se</em>.  However it will be unlawful if it meets the definition at <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/57?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">s.57 of the Firearms Act 1968</a> of a firearm, or used as an &quot;imitation firearm&quot; to commit <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/part/I/crossheading/prevention-of-crime-and-preservation-of-public-safety?timeline=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">any number of offences in the Act</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(1) &quot;firearm” means-</p>
<p>(a) a lethal barrelled weapon</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>(c) a relevant component part in relation to a lethal barrelled weapon</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>3(1B) In subsection (1)(a), “lethal barrelled weapon” means a barrelled weapon of any description from which a shot, bullet or other missile, with kinetic energy of more than one joule at the muzzle of the weapon, can be discharged.</p>
<p>(4)(b)...“imitation firearm” means any thing which has the appearance of being a firearm ... whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In Germany, there are similar prohibitions against building a firearm <strong>or significant parts of a firearm</strong>, and also against gadgets which give the appearance of a firearm.</p>
<p>I expect that it would be possible 3D print something which meets neither definition, but doing so is tricky for an amateur. When a German IT publisher <a href="https://www.heise.de/make/meldung/Auf-dem-Schiessstand-Die-Pistole-aus-dem-3D-Drucker-1972516.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">printed a gun</a> some years ago, they played it safe and let a licensed gunsmith do it.</p>
