I posted on this a little while back, and it now looks like what was only being talked about has come into reality: a gun that can be printed out of plastic on a 3D printer. No background check, no serial number, no waiting period. As the low cost and/or access to these 3D printers become more common, what is to stop a bad guy (and not even a well-funded one) from using the existing technology to create?
It also raises the question on what can/should be banned and kept out of the public domain. Is it censorship if an agency tries to keep the blueprints offline? Can it truly even be kept offline? Is it against the law to merely have blueprints of how to buils a weapon?
If so, why?
Technology innovations constantly move the goalposts. A little over a decade, we had 56k dial-up modems. Now we get 4G speed in the palm of our hands, and the ability to print 3D plastic things at home on demand.
Criminals will always find a way to break the law and beat the system to further their goals. Innovative new alarm systems at the bank? Bribe a guard. Multiple levels of cyber-security? Find an idealogue inside the organization to help you with passwords.
Point is, all this political theatre surrounding guns and new regulations today are already outdated with the revelation it is possible to print an operable weapon out of plastic. Watch how quickly these types of weapons find their way to "gun free" places like DC, Chicago, and London.
"But WAMK, the Politicians can take bans/regulations to the next level, and ban ammunition!"
If I can build a gun from plastic, you don't think I can buils a bullet or two as well?
These plastic guns don't have to last a lifetime. With the low overhead cost, and availability of inexpensive materials, I can print them as fast as they wear out.
Politicians need to focus on what they can actually control-enforce the laws on the books, connect the dots between the mental health folks and the police, so we can keep an eye on loose cannons, and better equip those areas more likely to gun violence (like schools, malls, sports venues, etc.).
The 3D revolution has already begun. It's time to play catch up.
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