Seattleimport
Member
Saw this article about a group that intends to develop, and freely distribute, plans for a pistol which can then be printed by a 3-D printer. So anyone with a 3-D printer can then print as many of such guns as desired.
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futureoftech/3-d-printed-gun-project-derailed-legal-woes-6213570
I'm skeptical of capability of *current* 3-D printer technology to produce fully functional firearms; they currently can't replicate metal parts (springs, barrels, pins) or fine detail. But eventually they will.
So I don't think I like this. 3-D gun printing bypasses all restrictions on access to firearms. Think of the folks you don't want being able to hit a button and create a functional handgun (or, heck, a fully automatic rifle): kids, felons, people on terror watch lists, the mentally unstable. Gangbangers will be able to outfit an army in an afternoon, all with untraceable anonymous weaponry.
I imagine that the government will respond by restricting sale of ammunition: limit sales of bullets to folks with ID and a registered firearm in whatever caliber you're trying to buy. In my opinion that won't be effective.
What do you think?
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futureoftech/3-d-printed-gun-project-derailed-legal-woes-6213570
I'm skeptical of capability of *current* 3-D printer technology to produce fully functional firearms; they currently can't replicate metal parts (springs, barrels, pins) or fine detail. But eventually they will.
So I don't think I like this. 3-D gun printing bypasses all restrictions on access to firearms. Think of the folks you don't want being able to hit a button and create a functional handgun (or, heck, a fully automatic rifle): kids, felons, people on terror watch lists, the mentally unstable. Gangbangers will be able to outfit an army in an afternoon, all with untraceable anonymous weaponry.
I imagine that the government will respond by restricting sale of ammunition: limit sales of bullets to folks with ID and a registered firearm in whatever caliber you're trying to buy. In my opinion that won't be effective.
What do you think?