Main content

Print and shoot: The rise of 3D-printed guns

How the technology to print your own lethal weapon is promoted on social media and the growing popularity of 3D-printed weapons online.

A growing number of incidents have highlighted the dangers of 3D-printed ‘ghost guns’: untraceable firearms that can be assembled at home with the help of a 3D printer. Since the first designs appeared in 2013, 3D-printed gun technology has advanced rapidly. Some models can now fire hundreds or thousands of rounds without their plastic components failing. Although these weapons are illegal in many jurisdictions, designs, parts, and blueprints continue to spread on social media. In this episode of BBC Trending, we explore the growing popularity of 3D-printed weapons online.

Presenter/producer: Dan Hardoon
Additional reporting: Hnin Mo
Editor: Flora Carmichael

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Sun 1 Jun 202521:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 31 May 202504:32GMT
  • Sat 31 May 202504:32GMT
  • Sat 31 May 202517:32GMT
  • Sun 1 Jun 202500:32GMT
  • Sun 1 Jun 202500:32GMT
  • Sun 1 Jun 202508:32GMT
  • Sun 1 Jun 202510:32GMT
  • Sun 1 Jun 202521:32GMT

Podcast