A Florida resident charged with selling a 3D-printed machine gun

A Jacksonville, Florida resident has been arrested and charged by local police on charges of using a 3D printer to manufacture and sell illegal weapons to an undercover federal agent. The criminal complaint was filed by an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) agent who, undercover, led to the purchase of a homemade, fully automatic machine gun.

According to an ATF document filed in the Middle District Court of Florida, 27-year-old Lucas Shirley manufactured and sold non-serialized, privately manufactured machine guns and short-barreled firearms. The ATF agent claims to have conducted a “controlled purchase” of firearms and, upon entering Shirley’s home to complete the transaction, noticed various tools and supplies, including a 3D printer. After Shirley brought in three private rifles and one silencer, the agent asked about the printed firearm components, to which Shirley replied that he was “using a new source and could ship finished parts as soon as the next business day.” The suspect offered a $1,200 printed gun that included a short-barreled machine gun, a silencer, and a brass catcher—an accessory designed to catch the shells as they eject from the firearm after firing.

Shirley sold a total of seven firearms to an undercover agent in two separate transactions for $14,800. During the first sale, Shirley received $3,800 for three unserialized rifles and a silencer, then $11,000 for another four rifles and four silencers.

According to the agent’s testimony, Shirley used a 3D printer to make selected parts of the firearm. He further indicated that he was looking for a place to test some of his designs, including components for popular Glock pistols.

In the first week of February, authorities raided Shirley’s home. They seized firearms, ammunition and weapon components, including parts intended to convert the weapon into a machine gun, and manufacturing and welding equipment such as 3D printers and 3D printing materials. Shirley first appeared on February 2, 2023 in Jacksonville U.S. District Court before Justice of the Peace Laura Lothman Lambert and now faces federal charges for manufacturing and possessing a firearm that is not registered with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). ). Shirley, who was already serving a 10-year state probation for selling drugs, could now spend up to 40 years in prison and pay a $1 million fine. Shirley pleaded not guilty to the charges, but was indicted. The trial is scheduled for April this year.

Source: www.yahoo.com