A teenager who used a Christmas gift 3D printer in an attempt to build a semi-automatic rifle has avoided jail.
James Maris used his parents' gift to manufacture parts for a firearm called the FGC9, which stands for 'Fk Gun Control 9'.
But police received information which led officers to search his family home in Rannoch, Perthshire, where they found the printer, parts for the gun and computer files.
The 19-year-old previously admitted offenses under the Firearms Act, two of which carried a minimum prison sentence of three years unless a judge ruled there were exceptional circumstances in the case.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, the judge, Lady Hood, said she was satisfied this was the case and told Maris she was taking into account the circumstances of the offence, his own circumstances and a risk assessment made about him.
Lady Hood told Maris at sentencing: 'I am satisfied that a community-based removal, rather than a deprivation of liberty, is appropriate in your case.'
She ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and a three-year supervision requirement during a community order of the same duration.
The judge also restricted his possession of cellphones and computers and told him to make devices available to police and a supervisory officer.
Police discovered the homemade semiautomatic weapon during a search of his home in May 2023
Police also found ammunition that could be fired from the gun known as an FGC-9
James Maris was convicted of building a gun with a 3D printer
Maris is also not allowed to use encryption and must provide passwords.
He was also given a 12-month curfew and told he would be tagged during that period.
Defense lawyer Liam Ewing KC previously told the court that police learned in May 2023 that the teenager had ordered online a parts kit for an AR 15 semi-automatic rifle known to be used in the manufacture of an FGC9.
The prosecutor said Maris told police he was “fascinated with firearms” and was building a gun that was in a white box in his bedroom.
“He stated that this was his and had nothing to do with his parents, and that he only built this as a hobby and had no intention of hurting anyone with it,” he said.
Mr Ewing added: 'He stated he had purchased items to build this using his laptop which was in his bedroom.'
The court heard that the first perpetrator had been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and suffered from anxiety.
Mr Ewing said 3D printed firearms are mainly made from 3D printed plastic components, with some metal parts such as barrels, firing pins and springs. The designs for the weapons are made digitally.
During a search of a bedroom closet, police found the printed parts of the gun in a box. They also found replica weapons and ammunition.
Inside the box was a handwritten letter that read: 'If you read this, I will most likely get caught, but I have to try to explain why I did this. It is not intended to cause harm nor to spread any message or belief. It is purely for my own interest, as I have a passion for firearms and technology.
'I have no radical views, nor do I have any association with people who do. I am also sincerely sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused people as a result. I am the only one responsible for this and have had no help during construction. Thanks for reading and I'm sorry.'
The court was told the printer was a Christmas present from his parents in 2021 and had used it to create models and gifts for family and friends.
Police investigating the case concluded that Maris was “nearing the end of the production process for the weapon.”
Defense attorney Ewen Roy said an additional report on Maris “underlined his high degree of remorse.”
He said: 'There is no self-pity in him but he focuses on the problems he has caused others, not least his family.'
Maris previously admitted that he had attempted to manufacture a firearm without permission between January and May in 2023 and that he had unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition on March 25, 2023.
Moira Orr, who leads major crimes for the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “James Maris has been convicted of a serious crime.
“This sentence should act as a deterrent to others who engage in this type of criminal activity.
“The production of viable 3D printed firearms is a real threat and as prosecutors we will vigorously prosecute those involved in their assembly.
“This case underlines our commitment to continue to work with police and other agencies to ensure these types of crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.”
