Waterbury police make unusual gun arrest: Man had a plastic, 3D printed gun

Waterbury police said they arrested a man who had a 3D printed gun with a bullet in the chamber in what may be the first such arrest in the state.

Jeremy Stevens, 36, was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle and carrying a pistol without a permit early Wednesday morning. He also was arrested on drug charges because officers found two bags of heroin on him, police said.

According to police, officers were investigating a report of a “suspicious vehicle” in the area of 140 Central Ave. shortly after 1 a.m. when they spotted a man in the back seat of a 2005 Toyota Camry. Both right doors were open and the man, later identified as Stevens, appeared to be looking for something.

The officers saw a white-handled pistol in Stevens’ waistband, police said. It turned out to be a plastic, 3D printed gun with a live, .22-caliber round in the barrel. Even though they are made of plastic, such guns are capable of firing.

In addition to the gun charges, Stevens was charged with illegal possession of a controlled substance and possession in a school zone. The drugs were within 1,500 feet of Yeshiva K’tana, a school for Jewish children, police said.

Plans for the first 3D-printable handgun were released online in 2013, causing concern among gun control advocates about the proliferation of unregulated guns.

Spokesmen for Hartford and the state police said they have not come across any of the plastic guns.

“We have not seen any 3D guns come through the state police at all,” said Trooper Tanya Compagnone.

Fearful that could change, the legislature has approved a bill that bans 3D-printed firearms, known to some as ghost guns. The legislation is headed to Gov. Ned Lamont for a signature.

Christine Dempsey can be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.