Is it realy possible to make a gun using a 3D
Printer?
"Three-Dimensional Printing makes it as cheap to create single items as it is to produce thousands and thus undermines economies of scale. It may have as profound an impact on the world as the coming of the factory did .. Just as nobody could have predicted the impact of the steam engine in 1750 – or the printing press in 1450 – or the transister in 1950 – it is impossible to forsee the long-term impact of 3D printing. But the technology is coming, and it is likely to disrupt every field it touches."
"Three-Dimensional Printing makes it as cheap to create single items as it is to produce thousands and thus undermines economies of scale. It may have as profound an impact on the world as the coming of the factory did .. Just as nobody could have predicted the impact of the steam engine in 1750 – or the printing press in 1450 – or the transister in 1950 – it is impossible to forsee the long-term impact of 3D printing. But the technology is coming, and it is likely to disrupt every field it touches."
The Economist ,
February 10 2011.
In the United States it is legal for individuals to manufacture firearms for personal use without a licence – however this does not extend to restricted weapons such as full-auto etc.
3D Printers for home use are already available with prices currently starting at around US$1000.
Pioneering experimenters have already released design information for singleshot ('Liberator') handguns and a six shot .38" Revolver ('Tank Gan" – Zig Zag Revolver from Japan). The resulting public furore caused the US State Dept to forbid the release of these plans – but too late - as 1000s of these cats were already out-of-the-bag and multi-sourced on the net. - Please Google the topic "3D Guns".
I'm sure that there may be some legitimate basis for these concerns – particularly around the use of plastics that may be harder to detect than metal – but everyone should take a deep breath and remember that just about anyone of average intelligence with a lathe or a few handtools has been able to easily construct a basic working firearm such as a "zip-gun" or a "bang-stick' for at least the last 100 plus years.
Designs, plans and instructions, together with parts-lists have been published for ever – both on paper and on-line. Ever heard of 'The Poor Mans James Bond"? - Certainly any plumber, motor mechanic, gas engineer or hobbiest could build a simple short-range weapon without the benefit of a 3D Printer.
However, the new technology does make it possible (probably very likely!) for a home based techie with a 3D Printer to knock-off short-run batches of a refined design polymer-based handgun for profit.
While preparing this post I had difficulty trying to insert/download my chosen videos from YouTube. - These videos show the ZigZag 'Gan' being assembled and fired, and the Liberator being tested by the developer. I have no evidence that this was as a result of State Department action - however the video pieces are viewable direct on YouTube as I write. - Paranoid - Who me ??
-Meanwhile the answer to the question can guns be printed seems to be a definate yes.
-Meanwhile the answer to the question can guns be printed seems to be a definate yes.
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