South Australia will introduce new legislation banning the possession of digital files used to manufacture 3D-printed guns. This marks a significant step in the SA Government’s efforts to regulate firearm creation in a world where technology is rapidly evolving.
The Firearms (Digital Blueprints for 3D Printing) Amendment Bill is expected to be introduced this week, specifically targeting computer files that enable individuals to produce untraceable guns with 3D printing. These firearms are often made based on blueprints found online. They can be created without serial numbers and outside the established firearms licensing system, making them challenging for law enforcement to track.
According to officials, this issue has become a serious community safety risk. The Bill proposes penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment and fines reaching $75,000 for unauthorized possession of such blueprints.
The authors of the legislation emphasize that it will not target the legal, creative, or industrial uses of 3D printing. This technology is commonly used in Australia in applications from engineering and medicine to education and design. Instead, the bill will focus on closing a loophole that leaves a chance to produce lethal weapons without oversight.
“The Government is committed to community safety, with these measures responsible and necessary to ensure we keep up to date with emerging technology,” Blair Boyer, the Government representative, said in a press release. “Our top priority is to keep South Australians safe, and this new legislation is the perfect example of how we take action when it is needed.”
Boyer added that while most technology users act within the law, there is still a need for action to prevent misuse: “There will always be deceitful people who seek to work outside of the law, and this is us acting as quickly as possible to ensure any loopholes are closed.”
