Convicted Ex-PCSO Imprisoned for Attempting to Manufacture 3D Printed Firearm
In the United Kingdom, the production of firearms, including those made using 3D printing technology, is a serious offence that carries significant penalties. This was recently demonstrated in the case of Zoe Watts, a former police community support officer, who was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for attempting to produce 3D printed gun parts at home.
The conviction and sentencing of Watts, which took place at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, marks the first of its kind in the UK for this type of offence. The sentence was handed down following a lengthy investigation that involved multiple departments, as police found an "Aladdin's cave" of weapons in Watts' house during a search while she was away.
During the investigation, officers discovered a number of "worrying searches" online made by Watts, including asking if anyone had been killed by a 3D printed gun. Watts has not been reported to have denied the new findings during the investigation. She also told officers she was creating the weapons as toys before her conviction.
Judge Simon Hirst realized that custody would be more difficult for Watts due to her neurodivergence, her previous police career, and her transgender identity. However, he emphasized that the seriousness of the offence warranted a significant sentence. Watts was also given a forfeiture and destruction order, and she will be subject to a serious crime prevention order for five years following her release.
Detective Inspector Gemma Skipworth stated that downloading plans and using a 3D printer to produce a firearm means "you're breaking the rules." She praised the commitment of her colleagues in keeping the people of Lincolnshire safe.
The UK government and police are taking steps to curb the production and distribution of 3D printed guns. Although challenges remain in tracking digital blueprints and modified printers, the UK is moving toward stricter coordination between law enforcement and technology companies to prevent 3D printed guns from reaching criminals.
This legal stance aligns with the UK’s broader strict gun control policies, where unauthorized firearms are prohibited and strictly policed. It serves as a reminder that the production and possession of 3D printed guns without a license is illegal in the UK, and penalties include severe prison sentences, exemplified by the recent case of Zoe Watts.
The recent conviction and sentencing of Zoe Watts, a former police community support officer, at Lincoln Crown Court for attempting to produce 3D printed gun parts, signifies the first of its kind in the UK for this type of offence. This case underscores the fact that the production and possession of 3D printed guns without a license is illegal in the UK, carrying severe prison sentences, as demonstrated by Watts' eight-year sentence.
