Student found guilty of making gun using 3D printer in UK legal first

Tendai Muswere, 26, told police he had manufactured 'lethal' firearm for university film project

Tendai Muswere manufactured the components for a "lethal" gun using a 3D printer (Metropolitan Police)

A man has been convicted of making a gun with a 3D printer, in what is believed to be legal first in the UK.

Tendai Muswere, 26, manufactured the components of a homemade weapon “capable of firing a lethal shot,” the Metropolitan Police said.

The student, of Tachbrook Street in Pimlico, central London, pleaded guilty to manufacturing a firearm at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his home in October 2017 and found the parts of the 3D-printed gun during a search.

Muswere, who does not hold a gun licence, told officers he was printing the firearm for a “dystopian” university film project and claimed not to be aware it was capable of firing.

He later refused to comment on what his film project was about.

Tendai Muswere pleaded guilty to manufacturing a firearm (Metropolitan Police)

A search of Muswere's internet search history revealed he had watched videos demonstrating how to use a 3D printer to manufacture guns which fired live ammunition.

A second raid of his home in February 2018 led to the discovery of further components of another 3D printed gun.

Acting Detective Sergeant Jonathan Roberts, who led the investigation, said: “We know that Muswere was planning to line the printed firearms with steel tubes in order to make a barrel capable of firing.

“This conviction, which I believe is the first of its kind relating to the use of a 3D printer to produce a firearm, has prevented a viable gun from getting into the hand of criminals."

Police also found cannabis plants and evidence of cannabis cultivation at Muswere's home.

He will be sentenced on 9 August.