A Baltimore man, Kevin Wallace, arrested on Wednesday is accused of 3D printing at least 20 ghost guns. He even used the guns as Christmas tree decorations

A Baltimore man arrested on Wednesday is accused of 3D printing at least 20 ghost guns. He even used the guns as Christmas tree decorations.

It's part of what BPD Commissioner Michael Harrison is calling an "exponential" rise in "ghost guns" recovered in the city - from nine in 2018 to 477 this year. City leaders even sued major "ghost gun" manufacturer Polymer80, Inc. in June.

In this latest case, Baltimore Police SWAT units descended on the Rose Street house, off of Orleans Street, at about 4:40 p.m. Dec. 29. The investigation was launched by a social media posting.

Photos of the items seized include a Christmas tree that's apparently decorated with "ghost gun"-related items and other weapons.

Kevin Wallace - who has an "extensive criminal background," said police, including six prior convictions that disqualify him from having guns - was arrested at the scene.

Police determined he was using a 3D printer to build "ghost guns." SWAT officers seized about 20 Polymer80 handguns in various stages of assembly, AR-style pistols, Glock and Smith & Wesson slide assemblies, two rifles and BB guns. They also seized the 3D printer and related items, including ammunition, spent shell-casings, memory cards and other manufacturing equipment.

Harrison said in a statement that these types of guns "are extremely hard to trace and difficult to tie to murders and they have no place in our city... We must continue to see to it that Polymer80 and other manufacturers of build kits cannot create a marketplace of untraceable, easy-to-obtain weapons. The more guns we keep out of the hands of people who should not have weapons, the sooner we can reduce the number of violent crimes in Baltimore. This is a truly hopeful way to end 2022.”

Mayor Brandon Scott also said:

“Ghost guns have created far too much chaos and heartache in communities across this city and throughout our nation."

Anyone with information about illegal guns or crimes may call the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may also submit an anonymous online text tip to Metro Crime Stoppers by visiting the MCS website.

Investigators found 20 guns that were in various stages of assembly inside of the dwelling, and say that Wallace was using a 3-D printer to manufacture the guns. A Christmas tree decorated in what appear to be guns, as well as a 3-D printer with various supplies were also found in the search.

“Unfortunately, the number of ghost guns recovered in Baltimore has increased exponentially year-over-year from nine in 2018 to 477 this year. These guns are extremely hard to trace and difficult to tie to murders and they have no place in our city,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison. “This is a truly outstanding achievement. I applaud the tireless and meaningful efforts of SWAT, our District Detectives and the entire BPD Team. We must continue to see to it that Polymer80 and other manufacturers of build kits cannot create a marketplace of untraceable, easy-to-obtain weapons. The more guns we keep out of the hands of people who should not have weapons, the sooner we can reduce the number of violent crimes in Baltimore. This is a truly hopeful way to end 2022.”

Wallace has an extensive criminal background that includes first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and burglary, malicious destruction of property, felony and misdemeanor drug convictions. Six prior disqualifying criminal convictions prohibit Wallace from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition.

“From the moment I took office, building public safety has been my main priority. Reducing violent crime and putting in the work to get illegal guns off our streets are goals my administration is committed to achieving each and every day so a seizure such as this is proof that what we’re doing is working,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Ghost guns have created far too much chaos and heartache in communities across this city and throughout our nation. I commend Commissioner Harrison and the Baltimore Police Department for what was done here and I know that we will continue to do our part to go after and hold accountable those individuals who have a brazen disregard for the law and the lives of innocent people who deserve to live and work in safe and peaceful communities.”