Man jailed after attempting to make firearms with 3D printer

A man has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after attempting to use a 3D printer to make a sub-machine gun.

Robert Adamski was arrested in July 2024 after officers from CTP London entered his address and found the printer in the process of making a component, which was later identified as a part needed for a FGC-9 Mk2 firearm, a 9mm calibre semi-automatic rifle.

Other parts of the firearm had already been printed, including a magazine that could hold 25 cartridges.

He was also found in possession of various items relating to extreme right-wing ideology.

Following a two-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Adamski was found guilty of one count of possession of a document for terrorist purposes, contrary to section 58(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2000 and four counts of dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to section 2 (1) (a) and (c)of the Terrorism Act 2006/

On the first day of his trial, he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm, contrary to Section 5 Firearms Act 1968.

He has now been sentenced to a total of 17 years, including 15 years in jail and two years on licence. 

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “This sentence shows the seriousness of attempting to use a 3D printer to make a firearm.

“Thankfully, in this case, due to the swift actions of counter terrorism officers, we were able to arrest Robert Adamski before he was able to produce a complete and viable firearm.

“Although he was found to be in possession of extreme right-wing material, I want to reassure the public we found no evidence Adamski was planning to use any weapons to target any particular communities or the wider public.

“But this case shows, attempting to create or modify 3D firearms or possessing one, even without the intent to commit harm, is illegal and will bring you to attention of the police and lead to serious criminal consequences.”