3-D printed gun blueprints halted

A U.S. court has blocked the release of downloadable blueprints to make 3-D printed guns that can go undetected by security screening

Defense Distributed: Austin-based company founded by Cody Wilson (right). Trump administration granted permission to company to publish blueprints on August 1

States suing to stop release

Washington 
Oregon
Austin, Texas

Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia

LIBERATOR
First working 3-D printed gun, single-shot pistol made mostly of thermoplastic components, with metal firing pin

Liberator fires less powerful bullet than longer 9mm round

Undetectable Firearms Act, 1988: Bans guns that do not contain enough metal to be detected
by screening machines, but does not require that metal parts be non-removable

Makers of 3-D printed guns can get around ban by creating metal inserts that are not essential for gun to function

3-D printed guns known as “ghost guns” because they are unregistered, untraceable and do not have serial numbers

Plans, and printer, to build lower receiver of AR-15-style rifle also available


Pictures: AP, Jay Janner/Austin American Statesman, via AP
Source: Defense Distributed        © GRAPHIC NEWS