29 Apr Police Detain Student for Allegedly Bringing 3D-Printed Gun to Pinole School

(Pinole Police Department via Bay City News)

By Bay City News

Officers detained a student who allegedly brought a 3D-printed gun to a Pinole high school earlier this week, police said.

Police placed Pinole Valley High School on lockdown on Monday as a precaution after receiving a report that a student brought a gun to the campus. During the investigation, officers found a firearm inside the student’s backpack.

The Pinole Police Department said Tuesday that the weapon appeared to have been manufactured using a 3D-printing process.

“These types of self-manufactured firearms, often referred to as ‘ghost guns’, can closely resemble commercially produced firearms and may still be considered firearms under California law, even if they are incomplete or not immediately functional,” police said.

The department said the situation was handled quickly and safely and that there was no ongoing threat to the school or the surrounding community. The case has been forwarded for further review.

Police encouraged families to have conversations with children about the dangers and legal consequences of weapons and the responsible use of technology. They also thanked the student who made the report, as well as school staff, for their cooperation.

Advances in technology, including 3D printing, are making it easier to create firearm components at home, said police, who noted that such weapons can be difficult to trace and may still be illegal depending on how they are made or possessed.

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