Birmingham man jailed for using 3-D printer to make guns

A man from Birmingham has been jailed for manufacturing deadly weapons using a 3D printer.

West Midlands Police visited David Biddell-Portman’s house for a routine visit after he legally bought a blank-firing pistol and 50 rounds of 8mm of ammunition in December, 2020. The 30-year-old man of Neachley Grove, Kitts Green, pleaded guilty to two charges of manufacturing a firearm and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (June 5).

Police were let in by a relative, but Biddell-Portman wasn’t in. When officers searched Biddell-Portman’s bedroom, they found two assault rifles in a wardrobe. In an upstairs cupboard, they found a 3D printer used to produce the weapons and a cassette of plastic to print parts.

West Midlands Police said: “3D printers have legitimate uses to print out physical objects by laying down lots of layers of plastic. They can be used for everything from toys to jewellery and furniture.

“But an examination found that the assault rifles had been printed on the machine, with steel parts added to them for key components which could not be made with plastic.

“We examined Biddell-Portman’s electronic devices and found that he had downloaded software and other files, including instructions from an anti-gun control organisation, allowing him to print out the weapons. In a tool box in his shed, we found bullets, metal gun parts and other 3D printed plastic parts for weapons.”

What West Midlands Police said

Det Insp Lisa Jackson, of priorities team, said: “This is the first time we’ve recovered a 3D printed firearm in the West Midlands, and so is a really significant find for us.

“We still don’t know what Biddell-Portman had intended to do with the weapons. He told us he had an interest in the mechanics of guns. But the reality is that these were deadly weapons which were tested and shown to be capable of firing live ammunition, which could have had deadly consequences.

“We fully appreciate that 3D printers are growing in popularity, and have lots of legitimate uses. But people considering using them to manufacture deadly weapons must be put on notice that we will treat them as seriously as any other traditional firearm and they can expect to be given lengthy prison sentences as a result.”

If you’ve got information on people involved in gun crime, get in touch with West Midlands Police or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.