Man, 21, used 3D printer he got for Christmas to build 'deadly' rifle in his Perthshire bedroom

A man used a 3D printer which he got as a Christmas present in a bid to build a deadly AR15 rifle, a court has heard.

James Maris, 21, used the machine to manufacture parts of a firearm called the FGC-9 – otherwise known as the F**k Gun Control 9.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Tuesday how police received intelligence about Maris’s activities at the home where he stayed with his parents in Rannoch, Perthshire, in 2023.

The court heard that detectives raided the property.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing KC said officers found the “component parts of a firearm, a 3D printer and computer files”, which confirmed he was “engaged in the ongoing manufacture of a semi-automatic” gun – they also discovered ammunition capable of being fired from the gun.

Mr Ewing said officers were told on May 22, 2023, that Maris had ordered a lower parts kit for an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle online. The kit was believed to contain the hammer, magazine catch, trigger, safety, grip, and buffer assembly and was known to be used in the manufacture of the FGC-9.

This intelligence prompted the police to detain Maris on May 24, 2023.

Mr Ewing added: “Whilst under caution, the accused stated he wanted to inform police what they might find and was again reminded he was under caution.

“He acknowledged he was under caution and stated that he was fascinated with firearms, and he had been building a firearm and that it was within a white box in his bedroom cupboard.

“He stated this was his and had nothing to do with his parents and that he only built this for a hobby and had no intention of using it to hurt anybody.

“He stated he purchased items to build this using his laptop which was within his bedroom. The accused was then advised he was arrested, not officially accused, in terms of Section 1 of the Criminal Justice Scotland Act 2016.

“He intimated he understood the arrest and replied, ‘I’m sorry – it’s only me involved in this.’”

The story emerged after Maris pleaded guilty to breaching strict firearms legislation on Tuesday morning before Lady Hood.

Mr Ewing told the court that Maris had no previous convictions. He also said that prosecutors have been provided with a psychiatric report which confirms that the accused has been diagnosed with Autism Disorder, ADHD, and significant anxiety.

The advocate depute told the court that 3D printed firearms are made primarily from 3D printed plastic components with some metal components, such as barrels, screws, firing pins and springs. The designs for these firearms are created digitally.

The court heard that police officers found the printed parts of the weapon in a white plastic box in Maris’s bedroom cupboard. They had also found spent ammunition, cartridges and replica weapons in the bedroom.

On opening the box, the police also found a handwritten letter. The letter read: “If you are reading this, I am most probably caught, but I need to try and explain why I’ve done this.

“It’s not for causing any harm, nor is it to spread a message or belief – it’s purely for my own interest as I have a passion for firearms and engineering.

“I have no radical views nor have any association to people that do. I’m also truly sorry for any inconvenience I have given people as a result of this, I am the only one who is responsible for this and have had no help during construction either. Thank you for reading and I’m sorry.”

Police then made inquiries about the 3D printer with Maris’s parents.

Mr Ewing added: “His parents advised the police that they had bought him the printer for Christmas in 2021. They said he had previously used the printer to make models and gifts for family and friends.”

The court heard that police then interviewed Maris. He told them that he had seen a YouTube video about using a 3D printer to make a gun. He said he came across the schematics of the FGC9 during an internet search, and he downloaded them.

Mr Ewing added: “He began to worry about getting in trouble and to regret embarking on the project, and at that stage he wrote the note that was recovered by police. He was asked what his intentions were with regards to the use of the weapon, and he stated he never planned to use it, and was adamant he never intended to cause any harm with it.

“He said he was mainly interested in the process of building it. He expressed pro-gun control views and an intention to ultimately destroy the components or to hand them in to the police.”

Police also found ammunition which was capable of being fired from the weapon. Mr Ewing said the FGC-9 was known as the F**k Gun Control 9 and is “well known to the authorities”.

Mr Ewing said that Police Scotland is not aware of a successful attempt in this country to manufacture an FGC-9.

Mr Ewing said that detectives concluded that Maris was “nearing the end of the manufacturing process” and was just needing to complete three tasks which would take approximately one hour and 11 minutes to complete.

The prosecutor then played a video to the court of a FGC-9 which had been manufactured by the authorities. Judge Lady Hood could see the weapon firing.

Defence solicitor advocate Ewen Roy told the court that his client had no previous convictions and no pending cases.

Mr Roy said the court would be obliged to obtain a background report about his client. He asked for his client’s bail to be continued because of the cooperation he gave to the police.

Speaking about the impact that the case has had on his client, Mr Roy added: “The impact and trauma of being in police custody in 2023 has affected the accused to such an extent that he has barely left the environs of the family home.”

Lady Hood deferred sentence on Maris to obtain a report on his background.

Maris will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on December 17 2024.