Matthew McLaren sentenced in Oamaru District Court for 3D printing of firearms
Photo: Supplied / Otago Daily Times / Felicity Dear

An Otago man has become the first in New Zealand to be convicted of firearms manufacturing after using a 3D printer to make six guns.

Matthew Bryan McLaren, 31, appeared in Oamaru District Court last week, where he was jailed for 26 months.

He previously pleaded guilty to four charges, including a firearms manufacturing charge, which accounted for five guns he 3D printed between June 2022 and June this year.

McLaren also admitted to manufacturing a restricted weapon, possessing a restricted weapon and possessing ammunition.

New legislation was passed in 2020, making the offense of manufacturing punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The court heard that on July 1, police were at the defendant’s home investigating an unrelated matter.

The circumstances led them to carry out a warrantless search to detect cannabis.

The accused was asleep and in conversation with the police. He said he had a loaded gun on the floor inside.

Police found an operational 3D printed pistol that was loaded with three live rounds of .22 ammunition in the attached magazine.

They also found 26 bullets, 178 3D printed parts, a 3D printer and various tools, springs and barrels used to make firearms.

McLaren was arrested. He told police he was a “gun enthusiast” and had printed about five other guns over the past two years.

Lawyer Katherine Henry said her client had difficulty with social interactions and liked to “tinker”.

“His hobby was something he could afford to do…quietly, alone, in his own space.

“It turns out it’s actually illegal.”

Templates for printing the exhibits were available for free online, the court heard.

Henry said the weapons were not functional in the long term because they were made of plastic.

She stressed that there was no evidence that McLaren was involved in any other crime or that he was distributing weapons.

“Yes, he is guilty, but not to the nefarious extent presented by the police,” she said.

Police prosecutor James Collins highlighted the unique danger 3D printed firearms pose to the community.

“When they’re born, they don’t come from normal channels; they come out of nowhere,” he said.

He worried the guns would be difficult to trace once they circulated in the community.

Collins did not accept that McLaren was ignoring the law.

“If he didn’t know, it was out of a lack of desire to know, not out of innocence,” Collins said.

“Describing it as a hobby is probably a bit of an exaggeration. I would describe it more as an activity.”

He said it was the first conviction in New Zealand for the charge of manufacturing a firearm – although people have been convicted of attempting to manufacture firearms.

Judge Dominic Dravitzki acknowledged there was “huge concern” about the widespread nature of this offence.

“There is a clear and real potential to undermine efforts to remove illegal firearms from the community if the type of offense you are involved in becomes widespread,” the judge said.

“There are particular concerns that firearms of this type may not be detectable.”

He added that because anyone could obtain these weapons without a license, they were “particularly suited to use in illegal activities if they fell into the wrong hands.”

Judge Dravitzki pointed out that McLaren had previous convictions for robbery and previous gang involvement, but had since reformed.

The judge issued a firearms prohibition order which prevented McLaren from using, accessing or being near firearms for up to 10 years.