BALTIMORE, MD – Detectives in Baltimore uncovered an illegal gun print shop that was making gun components using a 3D printer to put those guns on the streets of the city.
Police and SWAT units executed a search and seizure warrant in the 400 block of North Rose Street in the Southeastern District on Thursday at around 4:40 p.m.
SWAT officers observed and seized approximately 20 Polymer80 handguns that were undergoing various stages of assembly as well as equipment for manufacturing Polymer80 firearms, a 3D printer with supplies, multiple rolls of colored printer filament, memory cards, 3D-printed gun parts, gun ammunition, shell casings, and other materials that were collected as evidence in the dwelling.
The defendant, Kevin Wallace, 49, was arrested on the scene. He has an extensive criminal background that includes first-degree assaults, second-degree assaults, burglaries, malicious destruction of property, felonies and misdemeanor drug convictions. Wallace is prohibited from owning firearms and ammunition due to six prior criminal convictions that qualify him as disqualified.
“Unfortunately, the number of ghost guns recovered in Baltimore has increased exponentially year-over-year from nine in 2018 to 477 this year. These guns are extremely hard to trace and difficult to tie to murders and they have no place in our city,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “This is a truly outstanding achievement. I applaud the tireless and meaningful efforts of SWAT, our District Detectives and the entire BPD Team. We must continue to see to it that Polymer80 and other manufacturers of build kits cannot create a marketplace of untraceable, easy-to-obtain weapons. The more guns we keep out of the hands of people who should not have weapons, the sooner we can reduce the number of violent crimes in Baltimore. This is a truly hopeful way to end 2022.”
A social media posting led to a District Action Team (DAT) investigation. Wallace was positively identified as the suspect during the course of the investigation. When it became evident Wallace was fabricating ghost guns using a 3D printer, a search and seizure warrant was obtained. Twenty milled lower gun receivers, AR pistols that were printed, Glock and Smith & Wesson slide assemblies, two long rifles and BB guns were among the materials seized.
“From the moment I took office, building public safety has been my main priority. Reducing violent crime and putting in the work to get illegal guns off our streets are goals my administration is committed to achieving each and every day so a seizure such as this is proof that what we’re doing is working,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Ghost guns have created far too much chaos and heartache in communities across this city and throughout our nation. I commend Commissioner Harrison and the Baltimore Police Department for what was done here and I know that we will continue to do our part to go after and hold accountable those individuals who have a brazen disregard for the law and the lives of innocent people who deserve to live and work in safe and peaceful communities.”