In a First, Portuguese Police Find Extremists’ Cache of 3D-Printed Firearms

Executive Summary:

• In a June raid against right-wing extremist group Movimento Armilar Lusitano (MAL), Portuguese police discovered a cache of weapons, including several 3D-printed firearms (3DPFs). This marks the first time 3DPFs have been found in Portugal.
• 3DPFs have proven to be popular among extremists, particularly right-wing groups. The spread of 3DPFs in places like Europe, where gun ownership is uncommon and heavily restricted, is likely to present security forces with previously unseen challenges.
• MAL was formed in 2018 from a coalition of right-wing political groups. Similar to other such organizations, MAL successfully sought to recruit members of the local security forces to improve both their operational capacity and potentially infiltrate the state’s security apparatus.

In June, Portuguese Judicial Police working in collaboration with the National Counterterrorism Unit discovered several 3D-printed firearms (3DPFs) in a raid on a suspected cell of right-wing extremists, as part of “Operation Desarme 3D” (Operation Disarmament 3D) (Polícia Judiciária, June 17; Publico, June 17). The fact that the raid captured 3DPFs was significant, given that it was the first time such weapons were found in Portugal. This incident could portend the continuous spread of similar weapons in the country and throughout Europe, where prohibitions against the possession of firearms are generally understood to be fairly strict.

Gun Owners

The guns belonged to a right-wing extremist group called Movimento Armilar Lusitano (MAL) (Portugal Resident, June 18). MAL was formed in 2018 from a coalition of right-wing political groups with the intention of establishing a unified political movement with an armed wing (SIC Notícias, June 17; Portugal Resident, June 18). Though the cell had no concrete plans for an attack, online communications revealed they eventually intended to target political institutions, such as São Bento Palace (where the Portuguese parliament is located) and Belém Palace (the residence of Portugal’s president), in addition to several politicians (SIC Notícias, June 20). They also engaged in extensive preparations, which included manufacturing and acquiring explosives, bladed weapons, and firearms in addition to training with airsoft guns (SIC Notícias, June 17; Publico, June 17). Members of the group, including a growing number of youths, were active on Telegram and Signal (SIC Notícias, June 18; Expresso, June 20).

Four 3D-printers were found in the raid alongside an FGC-9 rifle and a Harlot pistol. The firearms were reportedly fully functional and in good working condition (Publico, June 17). The FGC-9, a semi-automatic pistol caliber carbine, is currently the most prevalent 3DPF in the world, while the Harlot is a handgun that is relatively easy to manufacture, durable, and easily concealable. In addition, Right-wing extremist paraphernalia linked to neo-Nazi groups was also found alongside books on Hitler (Publico, June 17).

Both pistols are hybrid 3DPFs. This means they are primarily 3D-printed but supplemented with commercially available materials that might be found in a hardware store, such as steel tubes and springs. They are not dependent on any commercial firearm components apart from ammunition, enabling one to manufacture them without leaving any detectable traces. Digital 3DPF blueprints are widely available on the internet.

3D-Printed Weapons’ Appeal to Extremists

Based on data collected by the author, at least 31 of 35 3DPF cases between 2013 and 2024 have been linked to right-wing extremist groups. The majority of these cases occurred in Europe (Sulinformação, June 17). One possible reason for the continued appeal of 3DPFs among right-wing extremists is the ideological and cultural importance of firearms within their ideology, which emphasizes the stockpiling of weapons in preparation for a political takeover (Global Network on Extremism & Technology, June 23, 2022). Combined with strict firearm regulations throughout Europe, this proto-revolutionary ideal serves as a driving factor for the production and distribution of 3DPFs, which offer an alternative avenue for malicious actors to obtain firearms without the need to have the same kind of traceable “footprint” (i.e., contact with criminal networks, incriminating documentation, etc.).

Another key highlight of the case was the fact that a senior member of the Public Security Police was arrested as part of the MAL network (Publico, June 17). It was alleged that the group was actively recruiting members of various security and armed protection services, and there were several other security officers involved with the group (SIC Notícias, June 19; Publico, June 19).

Members of the security services provide many key advantages to extremist groups, such as their expertise with weaponry and tactics. Their familiarity with weapons may aid the group in sourcing, privately manufacturing, and/or repurposing firearms for the group’s use. Further, knowledge of combat tactics, especially those utilized by the institutions that would respond in the event of an attack, allows security services personnel to better plan potential actions and train their compatriots. Likewise, these individuals could further leverage police infrastructure and apply counter-surveillance and counter-intelligence techniques, making detection and interdiction harder for the security services. Depending on the depth of infiltration, sympathetic members of the security services may even engage in obstruction of justice, turning a blind eye toward extremist groups’ illegal activities.

Conclusion

3DPFs are becoming a serious security concern, as evidenced by the discovery in Portugal, a country with relatively low gun crime (Project Insight, accessed July 25). While technological developments are reducing the barrier to entry and increasing accessibility to these weapons, the quality of said weaponry is highly dependent on the skill and experience of the manufacturers. 3-D weapons manufacturing requires time and experimentation, but in the hands of a skilled artisan, producing a lethal weapon is highly feasible. Further, unlike firearms bought from a legal vendor, 3DPFs are completely untraceable.

Most cases involving 3DPFs have been interdicted before any attack or altercation. However, one group using 3DPFs to carry out a lethal attack would highlight the fragility of the current arms race between militants and law enforcement. A multi-pronged prevention strategy that incorporates a strong legislative framework, effective cyber intelligence, capacity building and training for responding officers, and public engagement must be enforced by governments to control the spread and use of 3DPFs.