A Channel 4 Digital documentary has directly influenced UK legislation on 3D-printed firearms, prompting a crucial change in the law to close a dangerous loophole.
‘Plastic, Printed and Deadly’, released across the channel’s digital platforms in December 2024, exposed how it remains legal to possess blueprints for 3D-printed firearms in the UK, despite a staggering 733% rise in the seizure of such weapons since 2021.
The film was produced by North East indie, Northern Child — a sister company of Brighton-based Middlechild – in association with, North East Screen. It was presented by Snake Denton and directed by Oliver Smith. The documentary highlighted the increasing accessibility of untraceable 3D-printed guns worldwide, including the high-profile Luigi Mangione case in New York, where a health insurance CEO was murdered, allegedly with a 3D-printed firearm. The investigation uncovered how untraceable “ghost guns” are increasingly appearing in UK police raids.
The filmmakers approached Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, and presented their findings to her on camera. Following the documentary’s revelations, Kaur Gill, introduced the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill in Parliament to criminalise the possession of digital blueprints for manufacturing lethal firearms. In response to Gill’s campaigning, the Government has now announced a new Bill, to introduce additional counter terror powers in the UK, which will include criminalising the making, adapting, importing and possession of templates for 3D-printed firearms, carrying a prison sentence of up to 5 years. These new powers are to be included in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which had its second reading in Parliament on Monday (10th February 2025).
Preet Kaur Gill MP commented:
“I presented the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill to Parliament, to shut down a loophole that will make it illegal to possess or share a blueprint to make 3D-printed guns. I am really delighted to have worked on this campaign with Channel 4 and help bring this issue to the attention of the government and Parliament.”
Andrew Eastel, Managing Director of Northern Child and Executive Producer on the film said:
“This is a powerful example of how investigative journalism and the commissioning of ambitious documentaries about difficult subjects can drive real change. We’re grateful to North East Screen and the support we received from Channel 4 who helped us find a way to bring this important issue to the attention of those with the power to meaningfully address it”.
Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive, of North East Screen said:
“It is important, in our work to develop the Screen sector in the North East, that we connect both regional and relocated companies to opportunities to produce cutting edge digital first content. Northern Child, led by Andrew Eastel, were the perfect choice for this opportunity. They have an exceptional track record in providing commissioners with content that not only delivers to a brief but more importantly cuts through the noise.”
Thomas Pullen, Digital Commissioning Executive for Channel 4, said:
“I’m immensely proud to have commissioned this hugely important documentary and to see it now inciting vital law reform in the UK. It has been wonderful to work with the team at Northern Child as they investigated the availability of blueprints for 3D-printing guns and raised awareness of the issue at the highest levels. This is exactly the kind of groundbreaking work that showcases the real-world impact great filmmaking can have on society.”
‘Plastic, Printed and Deadly’ is available to watch now on Channel 4’s digital platforms.
