Teenager who used 3D printer he got for Christmas to build 'deadly' semi-automatic rifle spared jail

A teenager who used a 3D printer he received as a Christmas present in a bid to build a semi automatic rifle has been spared a jail sentence.

James Maris, 19, used the gift from his parents to manufacture parts for a firearm called the FGC9, which stands for ‘F*** Gun Control 9’.

But police received intelligence which resulted in officers searching his family home at Rannoch, in Perthshire, where they found the printer, components for the gun and computer files,

Maris earlier admitted offences under the Firearms Act, two of which carried a minimum term of three years detention unless a judge held that exceptional circumstances existed in the case.

The judge, Lady Hood, said she decided she was satisfied that exceptional circumstances did exist and told Maris she took into account the circumstances of the offending, his own circumstances and a risk assessment prepared on him.

Lady Hood told Maris at the High Court in Edinburgh: “I am persuaded a community based disposal, rather than a custodial disposal, is appropriate in your case.”

She ordered that he carry out 300 hours unpaid work and that he would have a three year supervision requirement during a community payback order of the same duration.

She also limited his mobile phone and computer ownership and told him he must make devices available to police and a supervising officer. Maris is also not allowed to use encryption and must provide passwords.

He was also placed on a nighttime curfew for 12 months and told he would be tagged during that period.

Advocate depute Liam Ewing KC earlier told the court that police became aware in May 2023 that Maris had ordered a parts kit for an AR 15 semi automatic rifle online which was known to be used in the manufacture of an FGC9.

The prosecutor said the teenager told police he was “fascinated with firearms” and had been building a gun that was in a white box in his bedroom.

“He stated this was his and had nothing to do with his parents, and that he only built this for a hobby and had no intention of using it to hurt anybody,” he said. “He stated he purchased items to build this using his laptop which was within his bedroom,” said Mr Ewing.

The court heard that the first offender was diagnosed with autism, ADHD and suffered from anxiety.

Mr Ewing said 3D printed firearms are primarily made from 3D printed plastic components, with some metal parts such as barrels, firing pins and springs. The designs for the guns are created digitally.

During a search of a bedroom cupboard, police found the printed parts for the gun in a box. They also found replica weapons and ammunition.

On opening the box they discovered a handwritten letter which read: “If you are reading this I am most probably caught but I need to try and explain why I’ve done this. It’s not for causing any harm nor is it to spread a message or belief – it’s purely for my own interest as I have a passion for firearms and engineering.”

“I have no radical views nor have any association to people that do. I’m also truly sorry for any inconvenience I have given people as a result of this. I am the only one who is responsible for this and have had no help during construction either. Thank you for reading and I’m sorry.”

Mr Ewing said: “His parents advised the police that they had bought him the printer for Christmas in 2021 and he used it to make models and gifts for family and friends.”

Maris told police that he saw a YouTube video about using a 3D printer to make a gun and came across the FGC9 schematics duing an internet search and downloaded them, but began to worry about getting into trouble.

The prosecutor said: “He expressed pro-gun control views and an intention to ultimately destroy the components or to hand them in to the police.”

Police investigating the case concluded that Maris was “nearing the end of the manufacturing process” for the weapon. Police Scotland were not aware of a successful attempt to manufacture an FGC9 in the country.

Defence solicitor advocate Ewen Roy said a further report prepared on Maris “underscored his high level of remorse”.

He said: “There is no element of self pity from him, rather he focuses on the troubles he has caused others, not least his family.”

Maris earlier admitted attempting to manufacture a firearm without authority between January and May in 2023 and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition on Mary 25 in 2023.