Gizmondo
A couple years ago, when a 25-year-old law student in Texas said he was going to 3D-print a gun, nobody took him seriously. Then, he actually did it. And then, a lot of people started doing it. Now, it's so easy that some protestors are going make a gun inside the Texas State Capitolwith a special gun machine. This is scary stuff, and it's going to get worse.
The 3D-printed gun debate is a frustrating one for peace-loving Americans. On one hand, it really does feel like it should be illegal to plug in a machine, wait a few hours, and then get a plastic however durable gun that can possibly slip through metal detectors. Guns are dangerous. They kill people. Surely, there should be some sort of oversight.
But on the other hand, there is. It's called the Bill of Rights, and it fully supports citizens' right to bear and manufacture arms. Gunsmithing is completely legal as long as you don't sell the guns you make. However, gunsmithing has historically been a pretty difficult endeavor, requiring metal and woodworking skills to make a sturdy, dependable weapon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco told me a while ago that they're aware of this 3D printing thing, but remain unconvinced that it can produce a "consistently reliable" firearm. But that may not always be the case.
As we all now know, 3D printing a gun that fires bullets requires almost no skills at all. Cody Wilson, the law student who gained fame for creating the first fully 3D-printed gun, didn't even know how to operate a 3D printer when he set out to make a gun. It took him less than a year to design and print his first gun, "The Liberator." Then, he uploaded the files that let anybody 3D-print the gun to the internet, and over 100,000 people downloaded them before the State Department took down files. In the meantime, Wilson showed off an AR-15 with 3D-printed parts that could fire hundreds of rounds. That sounds pretty consistently reliable.
Guess what: 3D-printing a gun is going to get even easier. Less than a week into 2015 and three days into CES, it's already clear that the 3D-printing industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation. So far, we've seen not one but two multi-material 3D-printers aimed at consumers. That means that tech savvy folks willing to spend a few thousands dollars can now start printing things out of composites like limestone, bronze, and iron.
I predict that trying to control guns made using the methods in this article will fail, much as trying to control the release of encryption software back when the government was caught unprepared to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteIts like trying to control a milling machine or a PC.
What makes me happier--the growing access to life and liberty preserving firepower, or the whiny anguished bleating of those who find that frightening?
ReplyDeleteIt's a real dilemma.
By the way--it's not made clear in the article, but the "special gun machine" to be used to make guns on the Texas Capitol steps is not a 3-D printer, but a CNC milling machine, called the "Ghost Gunner," designed by Cody Wilson's Defense Distributed group (the ones who invented the "Liberator" printed pistol, 3-D printed AR-15 lower receivers, and 3-D printed "high capacity" magazines).
As it happens, I've written two recent articles about this technology, and the government's desperate attempts to contain it.
New ATF Ruling on Privately Made Guns Defies Constitution, Logic, and English
Open carry rally in Texas will feature manufacturing guns on Capitol steps
With any luck, Mikeb will be more interested in discussing this revolutionary technology than my photo.
Guns are scary Kurt dont you understand that..especially the ones with plastic parts its only a matter of time before someone figures out how to turn metal into plastic...this must be stopped now for the children please I beg of you do for the Kids
DeleteYeah--my mistake, George.
DeleteThe problem is that since guns do more harm than good, plastic home-made guns will just add to that and if all your predictions about the future availability of this technology are true, it should become apparent.
Delete. . . plastic home-made guns . . .
DeleteKeep in mind that we're no longer talking just about plastic guns. The Ghost Gunner is a CNC milling machine (not a 3-D printer) that works with aluminum. But even 3-D printers that work in metal (including even titanium), within the reach of a serious hobbyist's budget (or a serious militia armorer's), are approaching.
These are truly exciting times.
It's impossible to stop all lawbreaking, but that doesn't mean certain things should not be made illegal. We can make 3D gun making illegal, but that won't stop everyone from making 3D guns. Most Americans are law abiding and if they know they could go to jail, they will think twice before breaking the law.
ReplyDeleteWhy should manufacturing a weapon be illegal if you have the right to own said weapon? Would it not already be illegal for a felon to 3D print a gun since they are not allowed to possess a weapon anyway? Why would there be the need to add another law to make this more illegal?
DeleteJim's got a point. What we need is proper gun control laws that require gun owners to be responsible and accountable. Then we could include home-made guns in that.
DeleteAs the ability to produce high quality, reliable, effective fighting arms at home becomes more and more ubiquitous, your "proper gun control laws" will become more and more irrelevant, because the people prohibited by law from having guns cans simply make them, with no one the wiser; the so-called "assault weapons" you want banned can be cranked out in garage or basement workshops all day.
DeleteThe future looks bright.
If you think stolen guns, or no background checks is a problem with those who should not have guns getting guns, imagine the bad guys in their basements making guns off a computer system.
Delete"your "proper gun control laws" will become more and more irrelevant,"
DeleteFor criminals like yourself that'll work just fine. But most gun owners are law-abiding citizens and will strive to obey even the laws they don't especially agree with.
But most gun owners are law-abiding citizens and will strive to obey even the laws they don't especially agree with.
DeleteYeah--I agree that restrictive gun laws work great for disarming the law-abiding. It's criminals who don't have to worry much about them, and as this technology matures, they'll be less and less inconvenienced by them.
Law abiding citizens are not being disarmed because 3D gun printing might be illegal. 3D gun printing wasn't even available until very recently.
DeleteMikeB: “But most gun owners are law-abiding citizens and will strive to obey even the laws they don't especially agree with.”
DeleteAh, it’s so comforting to know that non-violent people who have no intent to hurt anyone wouldn’t be making these guns. Thank you, gun control movement.
For criminals like yourself . . .
DeleteNow wait a second, Mikeb. Didn't you just say:
In our discussions, a criminal is one who has been CONVICTED of a felony.
Or how about:
In gun rights discussions, or any other for that matter, you cannot consider people criminals if they have not been convicted of a felony.
I'm pretty well positive I would remember being convicted of a felony, had it happened, but I can't remember even being charged with one.
Thanks Kurt for providing Gunsmoke a perfect example of the need for that third category. You're definitely a hidden criminal.
Delete"Yeah--I agree that restrictive gun laws WORK great for disarming the law-abiding. "
Well, there are two things wrong with that. My proper gun control laws would only disarm those who commit crimes - the ones outlined in the laws. Secondly, criminals will be greatly affected because every single gun used in crime starts out the lawful property of someone. If you gun owners where more responsible in the first place, we wouldn't need stricter laws. But, unfortunately, we do.
You're definitely a hidden criminal.
DeleteAm I not presumed innocent of this "hidden criminality" until proven guilty of it? You're the one who says "[i]n our discussions, a criminal is one who has been CONVICTED of a felony," and "[i]n gun rights discussions, or any other for that matter, you cannot consider people criminals if they have not been convicted of a felony."
My proper gun control laws would only disarm those who commit crimes - the ones outlined in the laws.
So you want to outlaw poor vision?
Secondly, criminals will be greatly affected because every single gun used in crime starts out the lawful property of someone.
Wrong, and as the technology that allows "prohibited persons" to easily build their own firearms matures and becomes more generally available, that statement will keep getting wronger and wronger.
If you gun owners where more responsible in the first place, we wouldn't need stricter laws.
Of what "irresponsibility" are you accusing me?
"Of what "irresponsibility" are you accusing me?"
DeleteThinking for even an instant that you are free....get on the collectivist train Kurt!
Ah--that explains it. Thanks, George.
DeleteWhy should it be illegal to make your own A-Bomb?
DeleteWhaaaa, whaaaa bwhaaaahahahahahh!!!!!!!!!! Suck it you gun control bitches!!!!
ReplyDeleteWho does 3D gun making benefit most? Those who are not supposed to have guns.
ReplyDeleteWho does 3D gun making benefit most? Those who are not supposed to have guns.
DeleteWhich, throughout history (some of that history American) has consisted of African-Americans, Jews, Italians, poor people, legal resident aliens, etc., and according to fanatics like Mikeb, half of American gun owners.
That's your definition of who is not supposed to have guns, not mine.
Delete