3-D Printed Hybrid Firearms: Emerging Threats and Technological Evolution

Abstract

Background: This study explores the emerging threat of 3D-printed hybrid firearms in Europe—a phenomenon initially concentrated in North America that is now impacting European public safety (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2024). These weapons are increasingly involved in criminal incidents and present major challenges for forensic science and regulatory frameworks due to their rapid technological evolution (Europol, 2023; Schaufelbühl, 2025). 

Objective: To characterize and critically assess key typologies of 3D-printed hybrid firearms and evaluate their implications for forensic and security operations.

Material and Methods: A qualitative content analysis was conducted on 15 peer-reviewed publications, online forums, and international conference materials published between 2022 and 2025. The study aimed to identify design trends, technological developments, and dissemination patterns within the 3D-printed firearm community.

Results: Three firearm models were identified as the most prominent. The FGC-9 (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2024) is the most adopted among younger (Dass, 2024; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2024) users due to its functional reliability and ease of assembly. The Urutau introduces significant innovations, reducing dependence on regulated components through a modular design (Veilleux-Lepage & Füredi, 2025). The Not-a-Glock offers affordability and simplified construction, increasing accessibility for non-expert users (Veilleux-Lepage & Füredi, 2025). These models demonstrate a shift toward greater self-sufficiency and anonymity in weapon production (Dass, 2024; Veilleux-Lepage & Füredi, 2025).

Discussion and Conclusions: These hybrid firearms exhibit ballistic capabilities like conventional weapons (Europol, 2023; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2024), complicating forensic investigations. The evolution of designs like Urutau marks a turning point in the proliferation of untraceable weapons (Veilleux-Lepage & Füredi, 2025). Addressing this phenomenon requires coordinated forensic, technological, and legislative strategies to monitor and regulate their development and dissemination effectively( Europol, 2023; Schaufelbühl, 2025; Veilleux-Lepage & Füredi, 2025).