NSW Police have released this vision showing the making of a handgun with a 3D printer and testing the weapon.

NSW Police are terrified a frightening new weapon, a plastic gun made from downloading a file that is 'built' by a 3D printer, will eventually be used on the streets of Sydney.

Known as “The Liberator” more than 100,000 people worldwide including Australia have downloaded the instructions on how to make the gun.

The 3D guns are made of thermo-plastic or synthetic material which makes them undetectable in airport X-ray machines which police say will have global terrorism implications.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said officers from the ballistic office made two guns themselves.

“We bought a 3D printer for $1700 and with materials worth about $35 we were able to manufacture one of these weapons,’’ he said today.

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He said it took only 27 hours to make and can be reassembled in one minute with frightening implications for security and law enforcement around the world.

The weapon, made out of plastic and using a household nail as a firing pin can fire small calibre ammunition with lethal affects.

“Our ballistic tests show using one of these weapons can kill,’’ he said.

Ballistic police also found the homemade weapon would easily disintegrate when fired which could be just as fatal for the user.

“Being on either end of this weapon can be lethal,’’ Commissioner Scipione said.

A graphic video depicting the consequences has been released by police as a warning for anyone contemplating making such a weapon.

“The results of the demonstration were disturbing and our worst fears were realised because it showed the effect it can have on the gun handler and the victim,” Commissioner Scipione said.

3D guns do not have any of the safety standards, quality control or protection for the user that commercially-produced firearms have.

“The message goes out to anyone with the resources to purchase a 3D printer. Don’t attempt to use a 3D printer to produce a weapon. A 3D-printed gun is not potentially dangerous, it is dangerous,” the Commissioner said.

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3D printers are a sign of the technological advances we are witnessing in the world. They are put to many positive uses, including medical, scientific and industrial.

“Advances like these should be encouraged, embraced and harnessed to do good, not evil,” he said.

“3D guns are made of thermo-plastic or synthetic material which makes them undetectable in airport X-ray machines. The terrorism implications of such a weapon are huge,” the Commissioner said.

“3D guns are undetectable, untraceable and easy to manufacture.”

“Make no mistake, these things are firearms. You do not need bullets to make it a firearm. It is a firearm. If you produce a firearm using a 3D printer, you are committing at least two crimes: Manufacturing a firearm and possession of an illegal firearm," he said.

"We will prosecute offenders caught manufacturing, selling, owning or in possession of a 3D gun,” Commissioner Scipione added.