Singapore balances rising threat of printed guns with expanding domestic 3D printing industry

Extremist groups around the world are increasingly turning to 3D-printed firearms as an alternative means of arming themselves when legal avenues are closed off due to criminal records, mental health concerns, or suspicions of radical activity. A recent incident in Singapore involving a teenager radicalised by far-right ideologies highlights the relevance of this issue and demonstrates how the government is responding to the threat.

In March, Singapore’s Internal Security Department detained a 17-year-old male under the Internal Security Act after uncovering his plans to carry out attacks against Muslims. According to Singaporean media, he became the fourth youth since 2020 to face such detention for far-right extremist beliefs. The teenager attempted to procure firearms from Malaysia, the US, and Thailand. After failing to import weapons due to Singapore’s strict controls, he was encouraged to explore 3D-printing gun parts and ammunition as an alternative.

While his efforts were ultimately thwarted due to the high financial cost and technical challenges, the case has reignited discussions at the policy level. This is especially pressing given Singapore’s position as a regional hub for 3D-printing innovation, with local firms contributing to 40 percent of the ASEAN market—a sector projected to reach US$100 billion (S$132 billion) by 2025.

Singapore’s advanced technological landscape includes not only commercial players but also a community of skilled hobbyists, who could theoretically help overcome the obstacles the teenager faced. However, these same communities may also play a vital role in early detection and deterrence of such threats in the future.

Globally, the use of 3D-printed firearms (3DPF) in criminal activities and extremist violence is on the rise. This growing trend deserves serious scrutiny, especially since there is documented overlap between the far-right and 3DPF communities.

3DPFs fall into three main categories: fully 3D-printed weapons, hybrids, and parts kit conversion (PKC) models. In less regulated environments like the US, PKCs are most prevalent, combining printed components with off-the-shelf gun parts to create functional weapons.

The issue gained global prominence after Luigi Mangione allegedly used a PKC weapon to assassinate UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York in 2024. These weapons are both accessible and more reliable than other improvised firearms, making them particularly dangerous.

In contrast, Singapore’s stringent regulations make acquiring 3DPFs significantly harder. Even printed ammunition relies on restricted items like primers, which fall under the Arms and Explosives Act. These regulations continue to serve as an effective barrier to extremists looking to exploit 3D printing for violence.

Still, vigilance remains key. 3DPF designs are evolving rapidly, and fully printed guns now surpass earlier homemade models in both reliability and performance. For instance, the weapon used in the 2022 assassination of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe misfired before discharging successfully, whereas modern 3DPFs can be far more dependable.

Consumer-grade 3D printers capable of using a broader range of materials are making even the most complex weapons easier to manufacture. Recognising this, Singapore issued a 2021 advisory clarifying that 3DPF manufacturing falls under existing laws regulating unauthorized weapons production.

Later this year, the Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs will enforce the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act, which will replace the Arms and Explosives Act. The new legislation will criminalise not only the production of unlicensed 3DPFs but also the possession of digital blueprints for such weapons.

These policy updates are essential in adapting to evolving threats and ensuring national security in an increasingly tech-enabled world and could serve as an example for prophylactic measures for other countries to prepare for this growing threat.

By Nazrin Sadigova