Police say charges are likely following the discovery of a 3D-printed gun at a man's house in Auckland.
The weapon, made of plastic and metal, was discovered at a Head Hunters gang pad in Te Atatū in late May. The search was conducted after a man reportedly breached his bail conditions.
It's the first 3D-printed gun they've found in a raid.
Photos show the body of the weapon is plastic, while the barrel is metal. A phrase etched into it indicated it was a semi-automatic weapon designed to be be able to be manufactured without the owner having to obtain any additional parts prohibited in Europe.
Police have previously indicated downloading blueprints to manufacture a 3D-printed gun could be illegal, but others - including lawyers and Customs - have said it isn't, the latter in 2018 comparing it to downloading an image.
The first 3D-printed gun was made in 2013, about 30 years after the process was invented.
The Australian state of New South Wales banned possession of blueprints in 2015, while most regions with tough gun control laws outlaw the manufacture of guns without a licence - New Zealand included.
"No charges have been laid at this stage but enquiries are ongoing," police told Newshub.
Newshub has contacted the Justice and Police Ministers for comment.
