I've seen this meme so many times now I'm beginning to wonder if some one isn't planting these stories.
Or worse people are so afraid of guns they don't even know how the things work.
"Yes Virginia the bullet comes out the end with a hole in it"
You can't print an entire Gun with a 3d printer.
What are you going to set the metal bullet off with? a plastic firing pin won't work.
What happens to the plastic barrel once a hot round goes down it?
How will the bolt and recoil mechanism work with plastic parts that don't slide against each other very well?
To make a gun you need metal parts. And if you can afford a 3D metal printer you can afford to go by a gun.
Heck you can buy the entire gun store since a metal 3d printer starts at around $500,000.
Hard to say since it's a case of "If you have to ask you can't afford it".
The most you can print with a 3d printer is the lower receiver.
Gun manufacturers have looked in to the idea of all plastic guns/Composite guns and it's never worked.
Every soldier in the world always wants a lighter weapon on a long road march.
The people that would need a printable gun are not smart enough to learn the tech to do it. And they will just go buy a real metal illegal gun anyway.
Plus printing a gun is not illegal pre se but you may get a visit from the BATF anyway if you don't have a federal firearms licence. Which in most
cases cost more than a real gun.
I was joking about all of these stories about a 3d printable gun being planted as a meme.
After doing a little reading I'm wondering if it's true.
Seems the Undetectable Firearm act (H.R 2845, S.2180) is due for being renewed next year.
the people arguing for it can go back and say
"OMG they can print guns now! We have to renew it and add more provisions to it."
Makes you wonder sometimes.
just in case your wondering:
Undetectable Firearm act (H.R 2845, S.2180)
thomas.loc.gov...:HR04445:@@@L&summ2=m&
"SUMMARY AS OF:
10/21/1988--Senate agreed to House amendment with amendment. (There are 4 other summaries)
(Senate agreed to House amendment with an amendment)
Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, possess,
transfer, or receive any firearm: (1) which is not as detectable as the Security Exemplar (after the removal of grips, stocks, and magazines) by
walk-through metal detectors calibrated and operated to detect the Exemplar; or (2) of which any major component, when subjected to inspection by
x-ray machines commonly used at airports, does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component.
Defines the term "Security Exemplar" to mean an object that is suitable for testing and calibrating metal detectors and is, during the 12-month
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, constructed of 3.7 ounces of stainless steel in a shape resembling a handgun. Directs the
Secretary of the Treasury, at the close of such 12-month period and at appropriate times thereafter, to promulgate regulations to permit the
manufacture, importation, sale, shipment, delivery, possession, transfer, or receipt of firearms that are as detectable as a security exemplar which
contains 3.7 ounces of stainless steel or such lesser amount as is detectable in view of advances in state-of-the-art developments in weapons
detection technology.
States that no provision of this Act shall not apply to: (1) the manufacture, possession, transfer, receipt, shipment, or delivery of a firearm by a
licensed manufacturer for the purpose of examining and testing such firearm to determine whether it would be prohibited by this Act; and (2) any
firearm which has been certified by the Secretary of Defense or the Director of Central Intelligence as necessary for military or intelligence
applications and is manufactured for and sold exclusively to military or intelligence agencies of the United States.
Permits the conditional importation of firearms for the purpose of examination and testing to determine whether the importation of such firearms will
be allowed under this Act.
Provides an exemption from such prohibition for any firearm possessed in the United States before the enactment of this Act.
Provides criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms.
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors
and airport security x-ray systems.
Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation to conduct studies to identify available equipment capable of
detecting the Security Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects.
Repeals such prohibition ten years after the effective date of this Act"