3d Printed Guns Documentary

Being a novice in the 3D-printing world, I was once somewhat skeptical of what it would and could accomplish. I saw Makerbot CEO Bre Pettis on the cover of Wired in late September, and while the novelty of the process incited wonder in my inner 10-year-old, I didn’t think much about it after the fact.

Enter Cody R. Wilson. Wilson is a 25-year-old University of Texas law student who is working to build semiautomatic weapons using a 3D printer. His name first came up in conversation with a colleague after he posted an Indiegogo pitch video demonstrating his intended use for a newly acquired Stratasys 3D printer, which Stratasys subsequently repossessed.

I was intrigued; Wilson seemed to be an articulate and tech-savvy mouthpiece for a movement that a large portion of the country would deem dangerous and off-limits. To find out more about his fight against gun control, I flew down to his home base of Austin, Texas, with a Motherboard film crew.

I first met Wilson at his apartment. I wasn’t sure what to make of him. He checked his phone every ten seconds and had a hard time making eye contact. Every other sentence ended with “Do you know what I mean?” and he spoke on topics ranging from progress in the 3D-printed gun movement to American politics to the inherent revolutionary nature of bitcoins.

He showed us the CAD file for his lower receiver on his computer, while a five-foot American flag hung in his bedroom as a self-described ironic statement. He’s a knowledgeable guy, and spoke at length about the development of Defense Distributed’s lower receiver, telling me that failure was a part of the scientific process. As he said, every time one of his designs fails, it offers more insight into what designs work.

As time wore on, he became more relaxed, treating us more like peers than journalists. That line can often be very fine; it can be tough to integrate yourself into an unfamiliar social circle while still keeping a professional distance. So I found myself riding around Austin in his older BMW as he constantly checked his phone, which was somewhat unsettling.

I see this as a slap in the face of the gun control lobbyist and to the controllers that be. This is a step in the right direction for the freedom loving people of this world. Just think, 3d printed guns and torrentz.

16 mass shootings last year? Man, thats kind of a lot, we have serious issues here. We need to start treating each other more kindly and compassionately. I have been reading and seeing a lot about 3d printing and printing guns, crazy. 3d printing is taking us somewhere and i dont think we know where that is yet. The internet is taking us somewhere as well. We are in for a wild ride people and i hope your ready.

While many here will think this is a good thing. I do not want kids being able to print a gun off here in the uk.
3D printing will be the future and will be an amazing thing and something will have to be done about it.
Also you can bet that the gun companies also do not want this.
Instead of 3D printing being used for good things all I see on the net about it is how you will be able to print off a gun...
Scary times we live in but also filled with wonder.

Will watch in a while and comment more after.
S&F.

While many here will think this is a good thing. I do not want kids being able to print a gun off here in the uk. 3D printing will be the future and will be an amazing thing and something will have to be done about it.

reply to post by boymonkey74


Wow, good point. I just realize when you said that how dangerous this can be.

The implications of this 3d printing are huge. I cant even fathom it.

reply to post by onequestion


Will it mean any gang, wanna be despot will be able to print off weapons to try and take control?
Who will need weapon manufacturers? It means ultimately the net will suffer....the day torrents come out to do with 3d guns and people start making these guns will be the day the internet will be controlled completely.

You are right scary very scary.

You have to be able to buy the printer 1st.

Originally posted by boymonkey74
...the day torrents come out to do with 3d guns and people start making these guns will be the day the internet will be controlled completely.

Depending on how you define it, this has already happened, or it will never happen.

Torrents already exist, but it is important to note that Cody R Wilson isnt making the whole gun. The metal parts (barrel, upper receiver) is something he buys. Cody is making the lower receiver, which is only a "gun" from a silly ATF regulation point of view. No ordinary person would see the part he makes and consider it to be a "gun".

reply to post by catt3


Cheapest I have seen is 500 bucks a good one is 2100...and do not forget that some come with instruction on how to make a 3d printer using your 3d printer...they can have babies .


www.pcpro.co.uk...

Originally posted by catt3
You have to be able to buy the printer 1st.

I'm sure thats on its way soon enough.

reply to post by alfa1


Thanks for the info...lets just hope no one invents a 3d printer that can use metal.

reply to post by boymonkey74


well, actually it is possible Shapeways.com

And printing guns is not a good idea. In US and its people addiction to weapons this would mean easier access to weapons.

About internets future: in 50 years it will be still used mainly for porn, same as now

Would be cheaper to buy the gun in metal pieces on the black market than print a gun right today.
The future IS friendly however!

reply to post by boymonkey74


They will never be able to print bullets, and i bet a plastic barrel wouldnt do much either..

I want to print a tank.

Wow, good point. I just realize when you said that how dangerous this can be.

Is that sarcasm? You must have realised how dangerous being able to print a gun at home would be, right?
But, as others have said, I can't see how a usable gun could be printed off using plastics that can be kept molten at temperatures used in these printers.

reply to post by Subterranean13


Few month ago there was a video of a guy firing 6 shots with printed semi-automatic gun until it broke. Not much but still enough to kill someone. And there's a way to print metal objects (printers in higher price range).

Yes it can be bad but so can anything else if in the hands of someone bad...

This tech is what will allow us to live on other planets venture space and save our own planet, at least try that is.

and for any true DIYer you can build a 3d printer at home for around 350 USD.