How big of a problem is this even? I’ve only heard one case of someone using a ghost gun in a murder and that didn’t stop the police from finding the suspect.
Not a major problem AND going after 3D printing doesn’t actually solve the problem - the core components that make a gun a gun, such as the barrel, firing pin, etc., still need to be manufactured in the “traditional” way (unless you’re trying to make a single use, one shot gun, but even that has better alternatives than 3D printing).
As it’s been pointed out above, the pieces of equipment - lathes, mills, CNC machines - required to make the aforementioned parts require no licencing, no safety mechanisms to prevent gun part manufacturing.
3d printers have made guns. They are always bad guns because plastic isn’t great for the purpose. They work and prove the point enough to scare people who know nothing about guns and thus don’t realize why other methods are better and faster.
My point is that a 3D printer isn’t necessary for making a gun, and that you can’t even make the parts that make something into a gun, using a (regular, commercial FDM) 3D printer.
it’s like trying to regulate printers because you can “3D print a car”, when in reality you can 3D print a few accessories and components but the entire engine has to be manufactured differently…
People have 3d printed guns and fired them. They work. Not well, and last I heard they are one shot because plastic can take the heat. Still they do exist.
It’s not a problem. “Ghost gun” refers to any gun without a serial number, whether it was manufactured without one or simply scratched off. Even under that exceedingly broad definition, these unserialized firearms represent less than 0.1% of all guns in existence.
3D printers aren’t the only way to make a gun. Traditional tooling also works.
Manufacturing guns for personal use is completely legal in most US jurisdictions.
It’s already illegal to manufacture and distribute or sell guns without a license.
“Ghost guns” are a boogeyman invented to sell more surveillance.
I print airsoft parts from time to time and it’s honestly pretty annoying thinking I’ve found the part I need only to realize that it’s the counterpart for an actual gun. There’s loads of gun parts on 3d printing sites.
How big of a problem is this even? I’ve only heard one case of someone using a ghost gun in a murder and that didn’t stop the police from finding the suspect.
Not a major problem AND going after 3D printing doesn’t actually solve the problem - the core components that make a gun a gun, such as the barrel, firing pin, etc., still need to be manufactured in the “traditional” way (unless you’re trying to make a single use, one shot gun, but even that has better alternatives than 3D printing).
As it’s been pointed out above, the pieces of equipment - lathes, mills, CNC machines - required to make the aforementioned parts require no licencing, no safety mechanisms to prevent gun part manufacturing.
The CA law includes all manufacturing machines that take sets of instructions, if I’m not mistaken
A lathe takes no instructions and is potentially the most useful tool of all listed for the purposes of making a gun.
CNC lathes are very common these days.
They are.
A barebones manual lathe is still grades cheaper, this provide a lower level of entry. Spend $200 and in no time you can be doing 20-30 barrels a day.
But please tell me how a 3D printer, which is at most useful for the casing (which you could hand craft from wood with a knife…).
I’m not quite understanding your question.
3d printers have made guns. They are always bad guns because plastic isn’t great for the purpose. They work and prove the point enough to scare people who know nothing about guns and thus don’t realize why other methods are better and faster.
My point is that a 3D printer isn’t necessary for making a gun, and that you can’t even make the parts that make something into a gun, using a (regular, commercial FDM) 3D printer.
it’s like trying to regulate printers because you can “3D print a car”, when in reality you can 3D print a few accessories and components but the entire engine has to be manufactured differently…
People have 3d printed guns and fired them. They work. Not well, and last I heard they are one shot because plastic can take the heat. Still they do exist.
You don’t even need a CNC machine. Basic hand tools and some pipe are enough to make a zip gun.
Basic hand tools can make a ak47. Skill is needed there though.
It’s not a problem. “Ghost gun” refers to any gun without a serial number, whether it was manufactured without one or simply scratched off. Even under that exceedingly broad definition, these unserialized firearms represent less than 0.1% of all guns in existence.
3D printers aren’t the only way to make a gun. Traditional tooling also works.
Manufacturing guns for personal use is completely legal in most US jurisdictions.
It’s already illegal to manufacture and distribute or sell guns without a license.
“Ghost guns” are a boogeyman invented to sell more surveillance.
Shit, just browse makerlab.com and you’ll find all sorts of gun parts!
I print airsoft parts from time to time and it’s honestly pretty annoying thinking I’ve found the part I need only to realize that it’s the counterpart for an actual gun. There’s loads of gun parts on 3d printing sites.
This may be true, but a object does not have intent.