Prime Minister: 3D printed guns sinister challenge for police

THE PRIME MINISTER, in his Independence Day toast to the police service at the TTPS Administration Building in Port of Spain, said the emergence of 3D printed firearms in TT poses a new and sinister threat for the police.

“As Prime Minister I have said on many occasions that firearms coming to our country, we don’t make them here, and therefore we should be concerned about the points of entry,” Dr Rowley said. “That changed this week as we discovered that people in our country are innovative enough to use modern technology to generate the manufacture of firearms in TT. That is just a new challenge – a very insidious one and a very dangerous one.”

Police arrested a Caparo man after an early-morning raid resulted in the discovery of 3D-printed high-powered rifles, known as “ghost guns,” on Wednesday.

In a media release the police said they had found out the man was supplying guns to criminal elements and after an investigation discovered he was using 3D printed modules as components for high-powered rifles, and making entire firearms.

Police raided this house at about 4 am on Wednesday and seized parts for high-powered weapons, firearms, ammunition, projectiles, a 3D printer and computer system

Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher said at the weekly police press briefing that these “ghost guns” have no serial number or identifying marks, which makes them harder to trace.

On Thursday Rowley said the discovery of these guns was one among the many challenges the TTPS always had to face in one form or another.

“We are living in challenging times,” he said. “Being a parent is challenging, but it always was. Finding a job is challenging, but it always was. Saving your country is challenging, but it always was.

"But at this time there are special challenges that require special responses. Every time a decision is made to exploit the technology or the weaknesses in our society, it makes the job of the police even more difficult.”

Rowley expressed his support for the police before toasting them.

“As we embark in responding to those who make decisions to participate, willingly or otherwise, in criminal conduct, we have to understand that crime-fighting is a vocation that is not for the faint-hearted,” he said.

“I am convinced that...the fight against crime will be won and it is a cause of public service that is worthy of the effort that you put in with your life’s work.”