ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – The attorney for a man who was arrested after police found dozens of guns made with 3D printers in his house is arguing that Patrick Carman didn’t break the law.
Police initially responded to Carman’s house on Pennsylvania Avenue in September because Carman accused his ex of stealing some of those guns.
The state attorney’s office this week shared body camera video of that response with your Rockledge Community Correspondent James Sparvero.
When police went inside the house, officers said they found a few dozen 3D-printed guns and ammo, which Carman, according to his arrest report, said was just a ‘fun project he was working on.’
[BELOW: Man accused of illegally 3D printing guns, weapons in Rockledge home]
Wednesday, defense attorney Jason Downs told Sparvero his client has been portrayed unfairly.
“This is simply a case of using a 3D printer as a hobbyist to make gun parts, which is completely legal in the United States,” Downs said. “These were not complete firearms. These are essentially paperweights.”
Downs said Carman never intended to make his guns fully functional.
“Never any intention to transfer, sell those parts, or to make them into functional firearms,” he said.
Some neighbors Sparvero talked to in September had concerns.
“It was pretty terrifying,” Jessica Smith said.
“What could it be? Is it a bomb?” she wondered, watching police and the ATF search Carman’s house.
Downs called Carman a sweet and mild-mannered guy who is not a danger to the community.
“I don’t think anybody needs to be worried about Mr. Carman,” he said.
Downs wants Carman’s charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon to be dropped.
It carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years if convicted.
Stick with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates how this case plays out.