3D Printed Handguns

**Devil** · Posted On: 8/28/2012 9:04pm

Originally Posted by mike321

Outside of the debate people have over whether these laws work, I find the inability to enforce them due to disrupting technology fascinating.

To me, that's the biggest misconception of this whole discussion - that this allows people to break a law that can't be enforced. That just isn't the case. Having the means to make something yourself doesn't make the law unenforceable.

You can make a short barreled rifle, a short barreled shotgun and a suppressor in your garage right now with a hacksaw, a file and some tubing. With a little knowledge and a few power tools you can turn a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon. Why is it that everyone isn't doing it then? Why isn't this ability flaming the wildfires of revolution against Big Brother?

Because everybody wants to be Guy Fawkes until the ATF is balls deep in their butthole. That's why. They don't have to catch everyone to stop it. They just make examples of a few and that will suffice.

**mike321** · Posted On: 8/28/2012 9:21pm

You are 100% right on the law enforcement angle and no one wants to mess with ATF. However, when the lawmakers put up obstacles to buying a given item their intention is to control the process. They don't worry about the home made stuff because it is not practical. Along comes a technology and that control might be compromised. Of course I am from a state were the point of laws is to feel good, not actually accomplish anything. I am sure that is affecting my outlook on this.

**Devil** · Posted On: 8/28/2012 9:49pm

Originally Posted by mike321

You are 100% right on the law enforcement angle and no one wants to mess with ATF. However, when the lawmakers put up obstacles to buying a given item their intention is to control the process. They don't worry about the home made stuff because it is not practical. Along comes a technology and that control might be compromised. Of course I am from a state were the point of laws is to feel good, not actually accomplish anything. I am sure that is affecting my outlook on this.

What is inspirational or revolutionary about making something you're just going to bury inside a length of PVC pipe in your back yard because you're afraid you'll get caught with it? Then when there actually is a scenario the zombie prepper crowd refers to as SHTF or TEOTWAWKI or WROL or some other silly acronym - congratulations, you have a piece of **** plastic gun to fall back on. Woohoo!

**chemistry** · Posted On: 9/14/2012 10:31am

I see no reason why, with future improvements to the process and materials, someone couldn't "print" out a functioning receiver. Until someone comes out with a revolutionary advance in polymer chemistry, though, it's really not worth the effort and worries, especially since someone with a milling machine can easily manufacture functional receivers for many kinds of weapons, including STEN submachine guns that are far more durable and reliable.