In a precedent-setting case, an Alberta man has been handed an eight-year prison sentence for trafficking 3D-printed firearms.
Dustin Lyslo, 29, pleaded guilty to five charges earlier this year, including weapons trafficking and careless use of a firearm. He used 3D technology to produce plastic suppressors and receivers — essential firearm components.
In Canada, while suppressors are categorically banned, receivers require an official license for legal acquisition.
“Members of the Camrose Police Service started the investigation in early 2021 resulting in the arrest and detention of Lyslo in the fall of 2022,” said Camrose Police Service.
Tracey Wilson, the Vice President for the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights (CCFR), explained that the sentencing in other provinces has ranged from 2 to 17 years, depending on the eventual use of the manufactured firearm.
“Personally, I think his sentence should have been longer or stricter. The illicit manufacture and distribution of illegal guns puts us all at risk and is often used as political capital against licensed owners who follow the law,” she said.
During the sentencing in Camrose provincial court, Justice William Andreassen emphasized the gravity of the crime.
“This is more serious than trafficking traditionally produced firearms, which can be identified by serial numbers,” she said, according to CBC.
“[Lyslo] set out to learn how to manufacture guns using the 3D-printing process and was willing to sell them, introduce them into the community,” she said.
This sentiment underscores the heightened risk and difficulty in tracing these firearms compared to their conventional counterparts.
Over a span of three months in 2021, Lyslo was involved in the illicit manufacturing and unlawful transfer of at least seven of these 3D-printed firearms, according to an agreed statement of facts.
Investigations unveiled Lyslo’s interactions with over two dozen people discussing the gun’s manufacturing. On 17 distinct occasions, he either deliberated or propositioned their unlawful transfer.
Law enforcement tied Lyslo’s illicit trafficking to a drug habit.
In May 2021, a raid by the Camrose Police Service resulted in his arrest after a 3D printer, gun components, and approximately 10 grams of narcotics were discovered at his residence.
Half a year later, in November 2021, the RCMP, in collaboration with the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, conducted a search on a travel trailer in Killam, Alta., located roughly 70 kilometres away from Camrose. Inside, they discovered Lyslo, a 3D printer, and parts of firearms that had been printed, among which was the upper receiver for an AR-15 style weapon.
In court, Lyslo expressed regret, apologizing to his family members present. Alongside his prison sentence, he has been imposed with a lifetime firearms prohibition.
While this case is a precedent for Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have previously witnessed analogous convictions. The proliferation of online guides and the simplicity of the production process have positioned 3D-printed ghost guns as a burgeoning issue in Canadian law enforcement circles.
Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be assembled at home.
Robert Freberg, Saskatchewan’s Chief Firearms Officer, raised concerns about 3D printed firearms during Bill C-21’s recent senate hearing. He said that he believes the chief firearms officer in each province should be permitted to transfer existing registration certificates for handguns between licensed owners.
“This would maintain the overall value of firearms and serve to reduce the potential of parting out existing handguns for compensation that could be possibly diverted into 3D manufactured firearms.”
He argued that individual pieces for guns held more value than fully-assembled firearms. These parts have no serial numbers on them, so he argued that this creates more parts that can eventually build more 3D guns.
He said that there are people in Saskatchewan currently in jail for manufacturing 3D guns, without even having the intention of distributing them.
Wilson worries that this issue could get worse.
“This will continue to worsen as technology advances — it’s the genie you can’t really put back in the bottle,” she said.
“As technology improves and advances faster than law enforcement we will see ghost guns become a more prominent public safety concern. I’ve spoken with members of RCMP/NWEST and the technology for 3D printing is making it more difficult to keep guns out of the wrong hands,” she added.
She advocates for strong sentencing for violators, a public education campaign, and investment in law enforcement training to combat ghost guns.
“I think ensuring a license is required for the purchase of hard to print ‘essential components’ would go a long way in slowing the advancement,” Wilson said.
Detective Mathew Wilton, a detective who took part in the Lyslo investigation, acknowledged the steep learning curve the case presented for Camrose police. He said the police service has been staying on top of the practice as it becomes more prevalent, according to CBC.
“The court case here today, I think helps demonstrate for offenders to be aware of what the results are and what will happen if they’re engaged in this activity,” he said.
