Posted on 11/28/2012 8:05:27 AM PST by marktwain
Defense Distributed spokesman Cody Wilson tells the UK’s Guardian that his company has the “logistics, time, resources and money” to start freely distributing blueprints that will let any hobbyist with a 3-D home printer make their own gun, and now it’s just up to Uncle Sam to sign off on a federal firearms license. Wilson doesn’t think there will be any problem, though, and says his company plans to be approved and begin building prototypes in the coming weeks.
“We're just waiting on a little piece of paper,” Wilson says, which could be all the federal government needs to give them in order for Defense Distributed to start sending out schematics.
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Earlier this year, another hobbyist from the US designed a 3-D printer-made gun that could fire multiple rounds, but that model relied on a few extra parts from firearm shops in order to work. One gun in the works from Defense Distributed will be entirely made using an at-home printer and another will use electronics to fire bullets, but otherwise those two products will be able to be pieced together with nothing more than a fully-loaded printer.
(Excerpt) Read more at rt.com ...
Really? I didn’t know 3D printers could produce steel articles. Interesting.
A good friend of mine works for a company that does just that, he is the actual machine/equipment operator. He is always regaling a few friends like myself of what he has been making and how well these items work in reality, how the technology is continuing to improve. He has told us on a number of occasions that 'some' in his trade have indeed done exactly what is being discussed here. He says it is something that must be seen to be really appreciated.
Not clear why they need a firearms license for this. An “exploded” drawing of an AK-47 is not required to be licensed. Why is a blueprint for a different kind of gun? Or any instructions about how to build a gun?
Steel printers are most likely more expensive than printers designed to print plastics. Some combine metallic powders with binding agents using fairly standard spray jets. Stainless steel objects can be printed this way.
I imagine you’d need a pretty high power lasar for that to work. Does it actually melt the steel?
That's why CavArms (and now GWACS Armory) make polymer lowers that have integral buttstocks, like so:
They've added material in the weak spot between the buttstock and the pistol grip. Note that the side walls of the part are thicker than the aluminum original. I suppose someone could measure one of those and create a file to "print" it, but it would cost a lot in terms of "toner".
“Request:
W88! W88! W88!”
That’s a bit extreme to deal with an armed robber;)
Not when the robber is the government...
It is legal to make a gun without registration so long as it is just for your own use and does not fit in the “NFA” (machineguns etc) category.
Registration is a state or local issue. In many states you can make and possess a firearm without any government involvement whatsoever.
thx for the clarification...
So, I can make a “zip gun” and the ATF has no problem?
Are you sure?
Because it seems to me the ATF was really interested in some folks’ “potato guns” a few years back:
“ATF has previously examined “potato guns” or “spud guns” as described above and has generally determined that such devices using potatoes as projectiles and used solely for recreational purposes are not weapons and do not meet the definition of “firearm” or “destructive device” in either the NFA or GCA. However, ATF has classified such devices as “firearms” and “destructive devices” if their design, construction, ammunition, actual use, or intended use indicate that they are weapons. For example, ATF has classified such devices as “firearms” and “destructive devices” if they are designed and used to expel flaming tennis balls.
Possession and use of “potato guns” or “spud guns” may be restricted under State laws and local ordinances. Further, any person intending to make, use, or transfer any such device must be aware that they have a potential for causing serious injury or damage.”
Read that drugs could also printed...scary thought if possible
Revisit my qualification. You can build whatever you want without registration so long as the gun is not in the NFA category. Any gun with a barrel over 0.5” (standard sporting shotguns excluded) is a “destructive device”, which is covered by NFA law, requiring a $200 manufacture tax plus registration ... and tennis balls & potatoes are larger than 0.5”.
High end versions can. The military is looking at using them for on-site fabrication.
Reminds me of the James Bond film, “Man with a Golden Gun” where it was made from a cigarette case, light, pen and cufflink.
Just get me the 3d plans for the same surface to air missiles ( 10 to 20 thousand ) now in the hands of the mujahadeen of Libya , after Gadaffis fall which was created treasonously by POSHITUS betrayal.
I figure I can use one of those at some point to send POSHITUS my ballot, since the Obama campaign defrauded us of our vote and denied access of official Republican scrutineers at counting stations all over the country.
We can call it American Spring.
How about an “88 Magnum?” “It shoots through schools!” B-)
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