Posted on 02/15/2013 7:08:08 PM PST by marktwain
I’m not one to ramble on about abuses of freedom. It isn’t really my style. But every now and then something comes up that I feel needs a wider audience. And the controversy surrounding 3D printed gun parts has brought up some big issues for me this week.
In 3D Printing to End Gun Control, Guns.com writer S.H. Blannelberry looked at new uses for an emerging manufacturing technology. 3D printers, which are becoming more affordable, smaller, and more efficient, are used to print just about everything imaginable. Even gun parts.
The fear, obviously, is that printed guns will get in the wrong hands. But Blannelberry concluded his August article with this statement. “3D printing or no 3D printing, the wrong people already have guns or unfettered access to guns. The real danger, and what I worry about, is that through gun control legislation the right people may lose the best means they have at protecting themselves.”
That was last August. “Gun control” was more of a hypothetical what-if.
Six months later, the debate is being legislated. The 3D printing that seemed like an expensive novelty (or at best a proof-of-concept) may now be an integral means of preserving the AR-15.
(Excerpt) Read more at guns.com ...
The other day I watched Glenn Beck’s program and he had someone on who showed the gun parts he was making. Glenn also has a small 3D machine.
Printing of firearms magazines is merely the tip of the iceberg here. The capabilities of 3D printers are terrifying in terms of novel and concealable weapons. It will take many years for those capabilities to be thought through unless the gun-grabbers succeed, in which case it would take a lot less time.
How long before have common 3D printers that make things from metal?
Well, I remember looking at a glass covered display case in a cop shop.
There was a crude wooden handgun shape with a piece of car antenna taped to it.
A bent piece of metal served as a hammer, powered by an inner tube rubber band.
It was called a Zip Gun. Would fire 22 rimfire. Maybe not too safe, but ???
Work a little harder, with a few hand tools, or with access to a couple of machine shop tools, and you have a real gun.
Don’t need a 3d printer.
But if it scares dems, yahooooo.
scaring leftists is the best part
I don't know about how long until they are common, but that kind of 3D printer already exists. The process is called Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Basically, they take finely powdered metal and laser weld it together to form 3D shapes.
I assumed they existed, I wonder if they will become common and their prices drop like the plastic ones?
In the Tribal Areas of Pakistan they make copies of modern weapons using things a lot less sophisticated than 3D printers:
http://nowiknow.com/pakistans-village-of-illegal-guns/
Thing is, 3D printing of guns is perfect for criminals, because they don’t need guns that can shoot thousands of rounds. They only need guns that can shoot four or five rounds to commit crimes.
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