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First Man To Be Jailed For 3D-Printing Guns Gets Two Years


October 22, 2014 | Rhett Jones

According to The Japan News, Yoshitomo Imura, 28, just became the first person in the world to be sentenced to jail for making a 3D-printed gun. In May, Imamura was arrested after videos and blueprints of his 3D-printed firearms were posted online. He received a two-year sentence for the five guns discovered in his home by police.

In Japan, citizens can only purchase shotguns and air-rifles and it’s extremely difficult to do that. 3D-printing has authorities in many countries worried but little has been done. Last year, police in the UK seized what they believed to be 3D gun parts, but were later revealed to just be spare printer parts. As the process becomes more widespread and affordable, definitely expect more of these cases. (Photo: Pete Prodoehl/Flickr)