A Port Macquarie man is facing court over the alleged possession of digital blueprints for manufacturing firearms.
Johnathan Cole, 61, was charged late last month after Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Border Force executed a warrant and searched the man's home.
A 3D printer, two spools of 3D filament and multiple electronic devices were seized.
Authorities alleged the man's phone contained information for manufacturing firearms using a 3D printer and instructions on a memory card for making a semi-automatic firearm and an assault rifle.
He is facing one charge of possessing digital blueprints for the manufacture of firearms, in contravention of NSW gun laws.
The maximum penalty for that offence is 14 years imprisonment.
Following a court mention this week, the accused remains on bail under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and not using any encrypted messaging applications or devices.
The matter has been relisted for mention on May 18 in the Port Macquarie Court House.
Authorities cracking down
The AFP is working with other agencies including financial crime watchdog AUSTRAC and Border Force to crack down on the illegal firearms trade, which was gathering steam in online and dark web communities.
"The manufacture of 3D printed firearms are a threat to the safety of our community," the AFP's Detective Sergeant Nicole Whelan said.
Mr Cole's arrest followed an investigation that began in January after intelligence identified online purchases of items that could be used to make improvised firearm sound suppressors.
An AFP spokesperson said the potential for 3D printers to print firearms components was something police were constantly monitoring.
The spokesperson said 3D firearms were not only a danger to the community, but also to the people attempting to fire them.
"The firearm can potentially explode when the trigger is pulled and cause significant harm to the user and anyone nearby."
