1st amendment + 2nd amendment = The right to print arms?

[chibajoe]

http://boingboing.net/2011/09/20/3d-printed-ar-15-parts-challenge-firearm-regulation.html

This should prove to be an interesting development.

[Atypical Liberal]

1. More sensational than anything.

All this would really do is make it faster to get in trouble with the Feds by manufacturing receivers at home.

But more than this, most of these rapid prototype machines use resins that are not particularly durable. They are more robust than they used to be, but even so, most of the time the rapid prototype is used as a master to make a mold which can then have more durable materials poured into it.

There are some exotic rapid prototype "printing" technologies out there, such as ones that use lasers to sinter ceramics or even metal powder, but these are not going to be available to everyday people any time soon. You could buy an arsenal for the cost of the machinery.

[jeepnstein]

2. You're allowed to make your own anyway.

Yeah, you can make anything you want as long as it doesn't run afoul of the NFA. Going in to the business of selling them to others is a whole different can of worms.

[chibajoe]

3. Fair enough

A small 3-D printer runs around $2K, which works out to about 20 AR lowers or one small 3-axis (CNC capable) mill and a bunch of aluminum stock. ;)

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

4. Home manufacturing of Title 1 firearms is already perfectly legal.

As long as the gun you're making is legal to own in your state then it's perfectly legal to manufacture on your own. The only exceptions are Title II firearms (machine guns, destrictive devices, short rifles & shotguns, silencers...) which are still legal to make on your own provided you comply with NFA regulations.

This is really no big deal.

[Abin Sur]

5. While a plastic receiver is problematic

There are already plans for magazines. Kind of hard to impose a 5 or 10 round limit on capacity when your computer can simply print a 30 round mag!

[-..__...]

7. Ain't techonlogy wonderful?

:smoke:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/09/21/welcome-to-the-future-print-yourself-an-ar-15-magazine-at-home/

I question the reliability of the spring (packs of 10 steel springs can be bought for short money), but kudos to the creator for thinking outside the box.

[-..__...]

8. Self delete

.

[X_Digger]

10. You see this one from the comments?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neometrix/4383002130/in/photostream

[Remmah2]

6. Just a thought.

Will copies of firearms like this be used by repeat offenders?

[petronius]

14. Boooo! Boooo! Hissss!

:rofl:

[-..__...]

9. OH NOES!!!... PLASTIC GUNZ!!!

Just wait until the Brady Campaign hears about this one... they'll be like stink on shit warning the public about the threat of firearms that

can pass through security measures undetected.

[Iktomiwicasa]

11. Yup.

[Cid_B]

18. I've already heard about this...

Glock 7


A handgun popularized by the movie "Die Hard 2: Die Harder". Made in Germany, this firearm is constructed entirely of porcelain, is capable of passing through airport metal detectors completely unnoticed. The only downside to this amazing weapon is the price, which is quite expensive. The real MSRP is unknown, but experts say that they cost more than the Dulles International Airport Police Chief makes in a month.

[MicaelS]

12. As long as you are legally able to fill out an BATFE Form 1

What's the problem?

www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-1.pdf

[rl6214]

13. Lower receivers are not illegal to make

I have finished a partially completed (80%) lower AR15 receiver myself with no serial number on it into a completed AR15 and it is 100% legal.

And I don't think a plastic lower will stand up to the stress like a metal one will.

[-..__...]

15. "And I don't think a plastic lower will stand up to the stress like a metal one will".

Probably not with factory 5.56 loads, but a .22 LR upper might do fine and well... perhaps even a 9mm upper.

Either way... in time the technology might become practical and affordable to handle heavier loads.

[oneshooter]

16. Take a look here, Plum Crazy Arms.

http://www.pcfmfg.com/

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[Francis Marion]

17. Aping the form of a metal predecessor

in plastic won't do if the purpose is to match the function potential and useful life of the 'real' part. The printed part must be designed with the material of manufacture in mind.

Plastics certainly can be used in such an application, i.e. Cavalry Arms lower product which is molded into a monolithic form of receiver, grip, stock. Again, purpose built for a specific job and material.

[petronius]

19. Awesomely cool technology in general. However, I don't think the word "printer"

automatically invokes the 1st Amendment - otherwise, wouldn't everything that comes out of a stamping press be protected free speech? :)