CAMPBELL, Calif. (KGO) — The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Gun Violence Task Force is celebrating the dismantling of what they call a ghost gun factory in Campbell.
A 28-year-old man is now facing more than 30 felonies for possessing and creating ghost guns, as well as devices to make standard weapons even more deadly.
3D printers have revolutionized manufacturing, but when they’re used for printing unregistered weapons known as ghost guns, law enforcement says they present a threat to the community.
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It’s a crime that sent Campbell resident Alfred Amaya to Santa Clara County criminal court Friday afternoon.
“These 3D printers are items that are easily kept in a person’s home, and that is what makes them so challenging for law enforcement,” Santa Clara Co. Deputy District Attorney Mike Vidmar said. “Whether he was possessing for sales or simply as a possession item, these are public safety risks.”
Amaya is already on probation for domestic violence charges and is now facing more than 30 felony charges and is being held on a $1.75 million bail.
During a routine domestic violence probation check-in, investigators say they found an operation that’s anything but normal.
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Amaya told investigators he was making toys for his kids, but inside his bedroom closet investigators say they found a 3D printer actively manufacturing devices that turn rifles and handguns into automatic weapons.
Just this week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law making it illegal to sell firearms that could be easily transformed into machine guns with the use of a switch.
This is an item that Amaya was allegedly 3D printing in his own home, and it’s concern with residents ABC7 News spoke with.
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“If the people owning guns, they’re regulated and they have to register,” Phuong Pham said. “But these people, they can print it at home and there’s no regulation and no one can stop them from doing bad things.”
Along with the 30 switches, two ghost guns and ammunition were found in an area accessible to two children. This brought along child endangerment charges as well.
Amaya’s mother told ABC7 News her son is not a violent person and said these charges and accusations are shocking to her.
Vidmar commends his office’s gun violence task force for getting these dangerous items off the street.
“Any time we can remove these items from persons who have the ability to carry them into the public setting, our community is a safer place,” Vidmar said.
Amaya will be back in court on the morning of November 19 for his plea hearing.
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