Date: 8 January 2015

To: 3D Printer Importers & Distributors

Police Licensing & Regulatory

Department
391, New Bridge Road
Block D #02-701
Police Cantonment Complex
Singapore 088762
Tel No: 68350000
Fax No: 62234707

Dear Sir / Mdm,

ADVISORY ON MANUFACTURING OF ARMS USING 3D PRINTERS

There have been reports that firearms were being manufactured overseas using 3D
printers. Under the Arms & Explosives Act, a Licence to Manufacture Arms is required for
anyone who wishes to manufacture any arms or component parts of any arms.
2
Police would like to request importers and distributors of 3D printers to include the
attached advisory on the product packaging to remind the public that it is illegal for anyone
to use a 3D printer to manufacture or attempt to manufacture any arms or component parts
of any arms without a licence.
3
For further clarification, please contact Police Licensing & Regulatory Department at
Tel: 6835 0000 or email spf_licensing@spf.gov.sg.

SANDIRAN GANESAN
OC LICENSING (GENERAL LICENSING)
POLICE LICENSING & REGULATORY DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

A Force for the Nation

NP 18(1/10)

Lodge police reports online @ www.spf.gov.sg/epc

ADVISORY ON MANUFACTURING OF ARMS USING 3D PRINTERS

3D Printing is a new technology that is rapidly gaining popularity world-wide. Also

known as Additive Manufacturing, it is a process in which an object is created through
successive layering of material. Product designs and blueprints can be easily downloaded
from the Internet.

There have been reports that firearms were being manufactured overseas using 3D

printers. Police would like to advise the public that under the Arms & Explosives Act, it is
illegal for anyone to use a 3D printer to print (manufacture) or attempt to print any arms* or
component parts of any arms without a licence.

3
As a safeguard, owners of 3D printers should encrypt their printers to prevent users
from printing anything that resembles any arms or any of its parts.
4

Anyone caught manufacturing or being in possession of any arms or component

part of any arms may be prosecuted in Court for either an offence of Manufacturing of Arms
without a licence under Section 13(1)(d) of the Arms & Explosives Act, Chapter 13 or
Possession of Arms without a licence under Section 13(1)(a) of the Arms & Explosives Act,
Chapter 13. If convicted, the offender will be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and to
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years, respectively.

*Under Arms & Explosives Act, "arms" means

(a) Firearms, air-guns, air-pistols, stun guns, electronic dart guns, automatic guns,
automatic pistols, guns or any other kind of gun from which any shot, bullet or other missile
can be discharged or noxious fumes or noxious substance can be emitted, and any
component part of any such arms;
(b) Bayonets, swords, daggers, spears and spearheads; and
(c) Such weapon, accessory, or other article or thing, as the Minister may, by notification in
the Gazette, specify to be arms for the purposes of this Act or any part thereof;