Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Dametto warned that the potential for the use of 3D printers to make firearms was a serious threat to community safety.

“The potential for 3D printers to print firearms, or their components, is something police are constantly monitoring, and we will take action if we have evidence a person intends to manufacture a firearm,” Commander Dametto said.

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“We will allege the man charged by the JCTT has demonstrated support for extreme ideological views. The JCTT acted early to prevent him manufacturing a firearm, even though he allegedly made significant preparations to be able to do so.”

NSW Police Detective Superintendent Mick Sheehy said it was illegal to possess blueprints for the manufacture of firearms.

“With the emergence of technologies, particularly in 3D printing, authorities are proactively conducting inquiries into online activity and monitoring both the licit and illicit movement of firearms and firearm parts,” he said.

“Police continue to uncover evidence of all types of illicit firearms, including homemade firearms, which are often crudely manufactured or assembled.

“These types of firearms add another layer of risk in terms of the safety of the community as they are unstable, and many are unable to maintain integrity once fired.”

NSW Police said recently that right-wing extremism now occupies about 20 per cent of counter-terrorism investigators’ time, having grown over the past five years and having surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of 1000 Islamist and right-wing extremists across four tiers attracting some level of police monitoring in NSW, about 80 on the two highest levels are being tracked closely as posing a violent threat to the community.