Shots fired from world's first 3D-printed gun

[Gtracer]

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/05/06/shots-fired-from-world-first-3d-printed-gun/?intcmp=features

The world's first 3D-printed handgun has been successfully fired in Texas, according to its creator Defense Distributed.

All 16 parts of the controversial gun, called the Liberator, are made from a tough, heat-resistant plastic used in products such as musical instruments, kitchen appliances and vehicle bumper bars.

Fifteen of those are made with a 3D printer while one is a non-functional metal part which can be picked up by metal detectors, making it legal under U.S. law.

'I recognize that this tool might be used to harm people ... But I don’t think that’s a reason to not put it out there.'
- Defense Distributed's Cody Wilson

The weapon is designed to fire standard handgun rounds and even features an interchangeable barrel so that it can handle different caliber rounds.

The blueprint files are expected to be available online today for download.

Defense Distributed, a not-for-profit group based in Texas, was founded by 25-year-old University of Texas law study Cody Wilson, who took eight months to create the gun.

Wilson, who test fired the gun himself, said the goal with the Liberator is to highlight how technology can render laws and governments all but irrelevant.

He told Forbes: "I recognize that this tool might be used to harm people. That’s what it is -- it’s a gun. But I don’t think that’s a reason to not put it out there. I think that liberty in the end is a better interest."

His efforts to publish the printable blueprints online have sparked outrage in the U.S.

"Once the file is online, anyone will be able to download and print the gun in the privacy of their garage, legally or not, with no serial number, background check, or other regulatory hurdles," A Forbes article wrote.

New York congressman Steve Israel has already called for national legislation to ban 3D-printed guns.

In a statement last week he said: "Security checkpoints, background checks, and gun regulations will do little good if criminals can print plastic firearms at home and bring those firearms through metal detectors with no one the wiser.

"When I started talking about the issue of plastic firearms months ago, I was told the idea of a plastic gun is science-fiction.

"Now that this technology is proven, we need to act now to extend the ban on plastic firearms."

I like it and I like the statements he made. Also, I find it interesting that it is specifically pointed out that the one metal part is a "Non-functional" part...

[SS Junk]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22423883

[GeorgeG.]

while I'm very pro 2nd amendment...this is pretty scary. I actually don't mind background checks and maybe even extending those background checks at gun shows and private sales. I guess what scares me the most about it is knowing that criminals can print guns bypassing all of that.

[Nash B.]

Here come the Glock 7s!

[Jimbo]

while I'm very pro 2nd amendment...this is pretty scary. I actually don't mind background checks and maybe even extending those background checks at gun shows and private sales. I guess what scares me the most about it is knowing that criminals can print guns bypassing all of that.

Troll job?

[big_tiger]

while I'm very pro 2nd amendment...this is pretty scary. I actually don't mind background checks and maybe even extending those background checks at gun shows and private sales. I guess what scares me the most about it is knowing that criminals can print guns bypassing all of that.

Criminals wont buy a printer to make .22 short pistols.

[GeorgeG.]

Criminals wont buy a printer to make .22 short pistols.

Good point. BUT, what if guns become more scarce due to bans and stricter gun laws....then would they? What if someone decides to capitalize on this and prints guns to sell to criminals?

[Baron Von Crowder]

Good point. BUT, what if guns become more scarce due to bans and stricter gun laws....then would they? What if someone decides to capitalize on this and prints guns to sell to criminals?

criminals arent buying them at gun shows, and they arent going to buy a printed gun that is untraceable. They buy the cheapest of the cheap throw away guns and stolen guns. You cant regulate the black market.

[Gtracer]

criminals aren’t buying them at gun shows, and they aren’t going to buy a printed gun that is untraceable. They buy the cheapest of the cheap throw away guns and stolen guns. You can’t regulate the black market.

This x123423849023874 (I feel that it still does not register for some people)

I mean, I am still waiting on my government sponsored cabinet locks and fireplace bumpers as I don’t want to hurt myself in my house, much less my children. I sure wish the government would hurry up and provide for me so I can be a more effective parent.

This is the mentality I am seeing, regulate, and regulate some more until we are all locked up 24/7 and don’t have a choice or the government has put rubber bumpers on everything so we stupid folk (everyday Americans) don’t hurt ourselves. It’s almost as if we are not capable of protecting ourselves or making our own decisions...or at least this is what they want us to believe.

I never asked anyone to speak for me…I don’t understand why it seems that everyone seems to know what is best for the other guy. I enjoy the idea of someone thinking about the people, and not just the government and their opinions. If a criminal wants to make a gun, more power to him because I have a gun too...and I am very confident in my abilites so I am not sure why anyone would worry...unless they are NOT armed.

And F&^K its Monday, I need a beer

[big_tiger]

criminals arent buying them at gun shows, and they arent going to buy a printed gun that is untraceable. They buy the cheapest of the cheap throw away guns and stolen guns. You cant regulate the black market.

black market =

Or is that not what you meant?

[KBScobravert]

Thanks Big Tiger, I just spit on the screen and not from laughing.

I can not see the link in the OP but is he printing every part from plastic? My only concern is what will DHS come up with to counter the threat of these making their way on planes. Outside of that.........print the fuck away.

[UserX]

They better hurry up and ban plastic.

[Moose242]

while I'm very pro 2nd amendment...this is pretty scary. I actually don't mind background checks and maybe even extending those background checks at gun shows and private sales. I guess what scares me the most about it is knowing that criminals can print guns bypassing all of that.

Criminals generally do not have access to $8,000 3D printers.

Also lol @ Israel for wanting more gun legislation. Why is it always the Jews who are dead set on taking firearms away from the American populace?

[UserX]

http://defdist.org/

[Gtracer]

Looks like they are working on banning something...lol

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/05/09/dod-forces-3d-gun-printer-defense-distributed-to-pull-weapon-specs-off-website/

The world's first 3D-printed handgun, The Liberator, has had its liberty taken away by the government.

Plans for the working handgun were posted online by Cody Wilson, founder of Defense Distributed, potentially allowing anyone with access to a 3D printer to make a firearm from plastic. The plans, which had been in the works for months, caused alarm among gun control advocates but were seen by some Second Amendment advocates as a breakthrough. More than 100,000 copies of the plans were downloaded before the federal government took the files.

“[Defense Distributed's] files are being removed from public access at the request of the U.S. Department of Defense Trade Controls," read a banner atop the website. "Until further notice, the United States government claims control of the information.”

Wilson tells FoxNews.com that he decided to comply to a request by the Pentagon to take down the gun specs from his website while he weighs his legal options.

"They asked that I take it down while they determine if they have the authority to control the info," he said. "It's clearly a direct response to everything we did this week. 3D printing is clearly not the best way to make an effective weapon."


"Until further notice, the United States government claims control of the information.”
- Defense Distributed website

Wilson says he has complied to most laws on the books and feels that the D.O.D.'s request may be more politically motivated.

"If this is an attempt to control the info from getting out there, it's clearly a weak one," he said, adding that the CAD design for the weapon has already spread across the Internet at downloading sites like the Pirate Bay.

Officials from the Department of Defense did not immediately return requests for comment.

All 16 parts of the controversial gun, called the Liberator, are made from a tough, heat-resistant plastic used in products such as musical instruments, kitchen appliances and vehicle bumper bars. Fifteen of the components are made with a 3D printer while one is a non-functional metal part which can be picked up by metal detectors, making it legal under U.S. law. The firing pin is also not made of plastic, though it is easily crafted from a metal nail.

The weapon is designed to fire standard handgun rounds and even features an interchangeable barrel so that it can handle different caliber rounds.

Defense Distributed is a not-for-profit group founded by Wilson, a law student at the University of Texas. He said the Liberator project was intended to highlight how technology can render laws and governments all but irrelevant.

"I recognize that this tool might be used to harm people," Wilson told Forbes. "That’s what it is -- it’s a gun. But I don’t think that’s a reason to not put it out there. I think that liberty in the end is a better interest."

His publishing of the printable blueprints online instantly sparked outrage in the U.S.

Using the file, anyone with access to a 3D printer could theoretically print the gun with no serial number, background check or other regulatory hurdles.

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., has already called for national legislation to ban 3D-printed guns.

"Security checkpoints, background checks and gun regulations will do little good if criminals can print plastic firearms at home and bring those firearms through metal detectors with no one the wiser," Israel said.

"When I started talking about the issue of plastic firearms months ago, I was told the idea of a plastic gun is science-fiction," he added. "Now that this technology is proven, we need to act now to extend the ban on plastic firearms."