Minneapolis man charged with manufacturing machine guns using 3D printer

(ABC 6 News) – A Minneapolis man has been federally charged for possessing and manufacturing auto sears, a device that turns a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun.

Andrew M. Luger, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, announced on Wednesday that Aaron Malik Cato, 25, of Minneapolis, had four 3D printers at his residence and was in possession of several 3D-printed auto sears.

Court documents say that Cato also possessed the parts to make up to 10 more devices.

Customs and Border Patrol agents intercepted a package sent from Taiwan to Minneapolis destined for Cato, and law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package.

Law enforcement also executed a search warrant at Cato’s home and recovered seven firearms, including five handguns and two AR platform firearms. Three of the handguns were equipped with auto sears and appeared to be Privately Made Firearms (PMF’s), or ghost guns.

Cato has already made his first court appearance for this case and has been ordered to stay in detention pending further legal proceedings.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in partnership with the Minneapolis Police Department and other federal agencies.