3D printed gun, has technology gone too far?

It’s a technology that has yet to find its limits, but has it gone too far this time? 3D printing a car is one thing, but a gun is a deadly weapon.

Guns don’t mean violence to everyone. For some, it’s a hobby — although a dangerous one — building and experimenting with firearms. But when someone takes a new technology like 3D printing and implements it into weaponry, controversy will follow close behind.

The first 3D printed gun was created by a user named HaveBlue on firearm forum AR-15.com. He didn’t print the entire gun, but only the lower receiver from an AR-15 assault rifle, which is similar to an M16. He attached it to a .22 caliber pistol and fired 200 rounds without incident.

He used a Stratasys 3D printer and a US$30 batch of plastic resin. And while he only printed one part, it was the part with the trigger, magazine housing — so most of what makes the gun a gun.

It brings up many questions, like, if this guy can print a gun, then what’s stopping any random from doing the same and side-stepping gun regulations? Technology has just gotten very dangerous.

More

News

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest in digital insights. sign up

Welcome to Memeburn

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest in digital insights.