Alleged right-wing extremist refused bail over blueprint to 3D-print a gun

By Fergus HunterUpdated September 13, 2021 â€" 4.55pmfirst published at 1.54pm

Counter-terrorism police have arrested an alleged right-wing extremist accused of possessing a blueprint to 3D-print a gun and making “significant preparations” to manufacture a firearm.

Mitchell Priest, 26, from Orange, has been charged over the digital blueprint â€" banned by NSW firearm laws â€" which was allegedly found on his phone after police raided his home on Friday.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Orange, accused of being a right-wing extremist and preparing to manufacture a gun. Credit:Police Media

Police say Mr Priest had also been importing legal items to be used for manufacturing weapons over 14 months.

The investigation into his activities began less than two weeks ago when the Australian Border Force intercepted a package destined for Orange and containing a firearm component.

Further investigation by the NSW joint counter-terrorism (JCTT) team identified the man listed as the addressee for the package as a right-wing extremist, police said in a statement.

Mr Priest appeared in Orange Local Court on Monday. He was refused bail and is listed to appear again on September 27.

A Nazi flag was discovered in the Orange property raided on Friday. Credit:Police Media

As part of the operation, a second man, aged 31, has been served with a firearms prohibition order.

Footage provided by police shows a Nazi flag hanging in the 31-year-old’s bedroom in the property raided on Friday.

Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Dametto warned that the potential for the use of 3D printers to make firearms was a serious threat to community safety.

“The potential for 3D printers to print firearms, or their components, is something police are constantly monitoring, and we will take action if we have evidence a person intends to manufacture a firearm,” Commander Dametto said.

“We will allege the man charged by the JCTT has demonstrated support for extreme ideological views. The JCTT acted early to prevent him manufacturing a firearm, even though he allegedly made significant preparations to be able to do so.”

NSW Police Detective Superintendent Mick Sheehy said it was illegal to possess blueprints for the manufacture of firearms.

“With the emergence of technologies, particularly in 3D printing, authorities are proactively conducting inquiries into online activity and monitoring both the licit and illicit movement of firearms and firearm parts,” he said.

“Police continue to uncover evidence of all types of illicit firearms, including homemade firearms, which are often crudely manufactured or assembled.

“These types of firearms add another layer of risk in terms of the safety of the community as they are unstable, and many are unable to maintain integrity once fired.”

NSW Police said recently that right-wing extremism now occupies about 20 per cent of counter-terrorism investigators’ time, having grown over the past five years and having surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of 1000 Islamist and right-wing extremists across four tiers attracting some level of police monitoring in NSW, about 80 on the two highest levels are being tracked closely as posing a violent threat to the community.

Fergus Hunter is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously reported on federal politics, education and communications at Parliament House in Canberra.Connect via Twitter, Facebook or email.

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