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Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

amp.cnn.com

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Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#21

Post by kabdib »

sparky_ wrote: post #14

Realistically, how effective would a 3D printed firearm be? I was under the impression that PLA/ABS plastics are simply not that strong of a material.

The receiver for the AR series of rifles does not need to be that strong. It doesn't handle any of the pressure of firing the cartridge; it's really just a mount for the rest of the components. The other components are not considered the actual firearm -- in a legal sense -- so you can just buy those without running into licensing issues (well, maybe local ones). Just add a barrel, a trigger group and other stuff and you're good to go.

Printing something that handles chamber pressures is a lot more challenging.

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#23

Post by [deleted] »

bsder wrote: post #10
dkoubsky wrote: post #3

I don't see why a CAD file would be any different than normal instructions for building firearms. For example, building a 12 gauge shotgun from 1" and 3/4" steel pipe is cheaper, easier, and probably safer/more effective than the plastic gun from the article. It seems to me the 3D printing part of this made the article popular for clickbait and thus it garnered more attention than the traditional approaches to homema…

> For example, building a 12 gauge shotgun from 1" and 3/4" steel pipe is cheaper, easier, and probably safer/more effective than the plastic gun from the article. Guns made from metal stock will probably always be more reliable and cheaper than plastic ones. The issue is that a disposable plastic handgun is less detectable and will leave no useful evidence behind as it can simply be discarded at the crime scene. (Of…

[deleted]

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#24

Post by MisterTea »

sparky_ wrote: post #14

Realistically, how effective would a 3D printed firearm be? I was under the impression that PLA/ABS plastics are simply not that strong of a material.

It could be a good intimidation tool for stick ups. All it takes is one shot so most people will be scared enough to comply as they would when faced with any other gun or weapon.

On the flip side, the barrel doesn't last fore more than one or two shots if you're lucky. You can't reload fast and have a single shot. I can see it being a useful tool for an assassination. But that single shot better count otherwise you're either captured, dead or you lose the target.

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#25

Post by majewsky »

cheez wrote: post #4

Not at all fear mongering by this Gardiner person: Gardiner fears it will make it easier for terrorists and people who are too dangerous to pass criminal background checks to get their hands on guns. "I think everybody in America ought to be terrified about that." The fact that high end 3-D printers are still too expensive for most people doesn't ease her concerns. "The people who make them will be state actors or we…

FYI: It's really annoying to read quotes when you have to move the scrollbar left and right all the time. Please avoid using codeblocks for quotes. Just put a "> " at the start of each quoted paragraph.

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#26

Post by wavefunction »

new_age_garbage wrote: post #16
frio wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, but it's a lot harder to take a normal gun through a metal detector.

You got some plastic bullets then?

Stone of sufficient hardness might work, or plastic pellets.

It depends where you aim too. A girl was shoot carelessly in the eye with a pellet gun at a drinking party in the woods and had to relearn how to speak and read and walk.

There's a whole continuum of damage that can be done by accident or malicious intent.

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#27

Post by DanAndersen »

MisterTea wrote: post #24
sparky_ wrote: post #14

Realistically, how effective would a 3D printed firearm be? I was under the impression that PLA/ABS plastics are simply not that strong of a material.

It could be a good intimidation tool for stick ups. All it takes is one shot so most people will be scared enough to comply as they would when faced with any other gun or weapon. On the flip side, the barrel doesn't last fore more than one or two shots if you're lucky. You can't reload fast and have a single shot. I can see it being a useful tool for an assassination. But that single shot better count otherwise you'r…

Is the "proof of function" really important? Most muggers and store thieves don't find themselves needing to fire warning shots, despite the existence of toy guns, due to most people's rational risk aversion.

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#28

Post by [deleted] »

PeterisP wrote: post #11
wavefunction wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a pretty nice setup for assassinations Print a gun, use it, drop it, GOTO 10

Buy a crate of used cold war surplus pistols or assault rifles and use them as disposable. For a cartel or state actor that's trivial, no need to bother with flimsy plastics.

[deleted]

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#29

Post by drasticmeasures »

Right now, people are commenting this will enable 3D-printed plastics, but there are mildly expensive (about $1000-$3000) 3D metal printers, and with a bit of metal-working and gun-smithing skill it should be possible to mass manufacture good-enough, metal guns from those files.

So, this lowers a bit the money and skill needed for it, but it's not braindead easy or dirt cheap yet. A decently organized gang will print its own guns in the near future, or paramilitary groups, or insurrectionaries.

Re: Americans can legally download 3-D printed guns starting next month

#30

Post by MisterTea »

wavefunction wrote: post #8
matte_black wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How well financed can a state actor or cartel be if they have to print out shitty plastic guns?

It's a pretty nice setup for assassinations Print a gun, use it, drop it, GOTO 10

> Print a gun, use it, drop it, GOTO 10

I thought the same thing but you have to get up close for it to be of any use so I don't see it being a popular option as it offers less chance of escape. Though, for the average criminal, they are better suited for stick ups.

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