Congressional Republicans Just Rebuked the State Department’s Fight Against 3D Printed Guns

ljreview.com ^ | 18 December, 2015 | Joe Perticone

[marktwain]

Republican members of Congress have taken aim at the Obama administration with their latest move involving a highly-contentious fight between gun rights advocates and the State Department.

Filing an amicus brief on behalf of Defense Distributed Thursday, congressional Republicans came to the defense of a non-profit firearms manufacturing company currently entangled in a legal battle with the State Department.

In Defense Distributed v. U.S. Department of State, the Obama administration is citing the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) in an effort to curb Defense Distributed’s effort to publicly post online blueprints of 3D printable firearms.

Noting that "it could have dramatic implications for free speech on the Internet," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said in defense of the weapons technology company:

"We expect the Court to recognize that the State Department exceeded the authority granted to it by Congress and violated the First, Second, and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution."

Following an injunction by Defense Distributed and its partner, the Second Amendment Foundation, the summer of 2015 has been one long legal battle.

Defense Distributed rose to prominence in 2013, when its creator, Cody Wilson, invented the world's first 3D printable handgun.

After Wilson unveiled the new technology and posted its blueprints online at no charge, the State Department issued a letter to him, reading:

"Until the Department provides Defense Distributed with final [commodity jurisdiction] determinations, Defense Distributed should treat the above technical data as ITAR-controlled."

[marktwain]

The amicus brief is well written and sourced. The State Department premise offers the ability to censor most discussion of guns on the Internet.

[eyeamok]

They could have just ORDERED THE JUDICIAL BRANCH to remain silent on the issue and give Obama a full rebuke.

see Article 3,section 2 US Constitution

[Bubba_Leroy]

You can easily make a working zip gun using less than $5 in parts from any hardware store.

I wouldn't want to fire it, but there are much safer designs easily accessible on the interwebs that would not cost more than $20 in parts.

Clearly, Google should be banned.

[demshateGod]

Every article proves that we just need to overthrow the government.

[SZonian]

The 9mm vid has apparently been deleted at that link...saw the 12ga vid though...pretty cool.

[Organic Panic]

Do not go to CNCguns.com If you have a small machine shop or know anyone that does advise them to NEVER visit that site.

[smokingfrog]

If you have any plans to pick up an 80% lower, you’d better do it now.