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World's first 3D printed gun test fired

m.bbc.co.uk

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Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#11

Post by snom380 »

TheBiv wrote: post #2

Call me a simpleton or luddite if you will, but I don't even have a regular printer at my home and I don't see a good reason to have a 3D printer either. Also, a non-techie like my brother (who probably wouldnt use this anyways) can barely install Microsoft Word, so telling him to print off a gun is an aggressive leap forward. I just don't understand what good these types of articles play or what practice purpose the…

Well I don't see a need for having a knitting machine at home either, but I can certainly see why some people would (even non-techies!) and maybe that more people would be interested in them if they improved in price and features.

Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#12

Post by arethuza »

ghshephard wrote: post #8

I always wonder why these articles don't mention that the ability to personally make a gun with a CNC machine has existed for quite a few years. There isn't a lot of new ground being broken in terms of "Freedom to create firearms in your home" with 3D printing.

I managed to make a "gun" when I was about 14 with some scrap metal parts, home made explosive and hand tools. Mind you, I only ever test fired it while it was safely held in a vice, but it certainly worked.

Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#14

Post by bmelton »

dsrguru wrote: post #10

Countries whose primary gun control measures are currently at the point of sale will have to decide pretty soon if they're going to ban personal 3D printers or resign themselves to the fact that as in the US, the average petty criminal will have access to guns.

It's worth noting that you can already legally manufacture up to 50 guns a year for personal use, and this is sanctioned by the ATF.

3D printing the parts only slightly increases the convenience from using a drill press and an '80%' receiver.

Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#16

Post by cturner »

ghshephard wrote: post #8

I always wonder why these articles don't mention that the ability to personally make a gun with a CNC machine has existed for quite a few years. There isn't a lot of new ground being broken in terms of "Freedom to create firearms in your home" with 3D printing.

I think it's a big story. 3d printing opens many possibilities that CNC doesn't offer.

A CNC requires specialised skill. Downloading and printing 3d doesn't.

Building guns with a CNC requires a lot of labour. Whereas you can imagine having a lab full of 3d printers being operated by a single pensioner.

3d printers look like they'll be generic and mass-produced. If so, in ten years there will be 3d printers everywhere. People sitting in refugee camps on the edge of hotzones won't have have difficulty getting access to them. At some time in the near future there will be a good-enough equivalent to the assault rifle that can be 3d printed. And drones. And other things.

The US has avoided pouring arms into Syria partly out of concern for the mess that it will leave behind afterwards. Also, they're wanting to avoid arming people hostile to the west. These arguments are valid now, but we can see the end of it.

Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#17

Post by jacquesm »

ghshephard wrote: post #8

I always wonder why these articles don't mention that the ability to personally make a gun with a CNC machine has existed for quite a few years. There isn't a lot of new ground being broken in terms of "Freedom to create firearms in your home" with 3D printing.

You don't even need a CNC machine. Just old fashioned tools will do just fine. Guns predate CNC tools by a comfortable margin in time.

Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#19

Post by mikemoka »

The only control possible might be included by law in 3D printers themselves I think, just like modded car can be fined buyers and sellers of non-limited 3D printers could be fined/prosecuted as well, given that such control is possible.

I am against control in general because it limits creativity and innovation but I am not sure it is in everyone's interest to let weapons flow freely and without any possible limitation.

Re: World's first 3D printed gun test fired

#20

Post by oneandoneis2 »

dsrguru wrote: post #10

Countries whose primary gun control measures are currently at the point of sale will have to decide pretty soon if they're going to ban personal 3D printers or resign themselves to the fact that as in the US, the average petty criminal will have access to guns.

Not true. Even here in the UK I can walk into an antique shop and buy a gun that can be put back into service in minutes.

Guns aren't, and never have been, the thing that you need to regulate to keep down gun crime.

Bullets are.

If you have a gun, you have a gun for life. But if you don't have a never-ending supply of bullets, you might as well have a paperweight.

Bullets are harder to get and harder to make than guns will ever be. Being able to make your own gun means nothing unless you have something to put in it.

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