The World's First 3D-Printed Gun

This is bad... speaking to this particular case:

The lower receiver is the registered part. It is the only piece of the rifle with a serial number. While the intention appears innocent enough, this fellow will most assuredly be getting a visit for some authority figures in the very near future.

[edit] I may have misread the article. It says he is a gunsmith, so he might have a class II FFL, doesn't say one way or the other. If yes, it will be okay for HIM to make and sell these parts.

Additionally, the lower receiver houses the fire control group (the parts that decide if the rifle will shoot semi or full automatic).

This is extremely bad.

Perfectly legal. You can buy raw solid cast aluminum AR-15 lowers legally. You can machine them yourself and it is as legal to own as any purchased lower receiver from an FFL.

You may build your own rifle as long as it meets federal standards (i.e., semi automatic, legal barrel length, etc.).

The legal problems begin if you attempt to sell the rifle or lower receiver that you built. I am not sure what the requirements are for legal resale, but for personal use only it is perfectly legal.

However, if this were to become prolific it could be a big issue because it short circuits the NICS federal database check that the law abiding citizens are required to go through.

I have a reasonable grasp of Federal firearms laws. That's the basis of my concern.

This is like meth in a printer.

Why pay for something you can brew in your sink or print?

You, Doorman and I will obey the law. It's the rest I'm concerned about.

Agree with the previous poster.

This is very troublesome!

When 3D printers are outlawed, only outlaws will have 3D printers.

_{/well someone had to say it.}

If my memory serves me correctly I believe resin printers are not the only 3-d printers that are available. I was offered a chance to lease a 3-d unit that used resin & aluminum powder as a material for construction of objects for prototyping and small run parts for investment casting. That is a real game changer for ATF to trace the weapons would be almost impossible if not truly impossible. Probably would not have a very long service life because of wear and tear on parts that don't have the wear capabilities. But could be a real game changer for authorities. Not a very reasonable thing to advertise to the public. Some kid somewhere will put a weapon in parts in to a laser comparator and let it draw up the math to recreate it in one of these printers. Wonder who will take responsibility for for that. Duke

Does the US constitution guarantee the right to own 3D printers?

At this point it might be like in the famous song (UNTIL DADDY TAKES THE T-BIRD AWAY). Use to be 20-30 thousand dollars which made it almost out of reach of the average consumer. Just reciently I read that they were available for $1500-$3500. A price some kids can afford if mom and dad don't keep track of the kids credit card use.Just the other day a friend told me about an engineering club that had a full machine shop as well as a 4'x5' 3-d printer and a 18"x2' 3-d printer. made available to anyone willing to pay a membership fee per month of $50.00. Now I think I just scared myself maybe I will go to bed and hopefully forget I read about this, Or stick my head in the sand and say it ain't so.Duke

People seem to forget that The Constitution defines the branches of, and limits on the powers of, the federal government. It doesn't define any rights, because it assumes that all rights reside in the citizens themselves. I've always been a fan of the 'forgotten' 10th Amendment:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

So the question ought to be, does your state's constitution prohibit its citizens from owning 3D printers?

Does this mean I might have to register my 3D printer? Actually, it was printed from another 3D printer, which means I could print another 3D printer that wasn't registered on this one...

Quite. GA

This is not a good thing. The primary difference between an automatic weapon (M-15 and M-4) and a semi-automatic weapon (AR-15 family) is the sear group (machined differences).

I have in my possession a booklet that is legal to own that shows one how to machine an Auto-sear if you have the right tooling and milling equipment. It even comes with the Colt machining blueprints, dimensions and tolerances included. Make it and you become the attention of the BATF, and state & local law enforcement officials,unless you have paid the $200 MG registering fee and received an approved BATF Form 4...also your state must allow private ownership of automatic weapons. This new technology circumvents all the machining requirements....not good, as any gangbanger, druggie or crazy with a little computer knowledge and access to the Thinghy drawings/software can produce these by the dozens in little time and little cost.

I'll share a little secret with y'all...you don't need this technology to make an AR (of any type and caliber) 9 into a near Automatic weapon. All you have to do is install a heavy rubber band on the rifle and go "Bumping" or "Bump-bang".......go to U-Tube and watch the vids and you'll see what I mean. Cheap, easy to install, and not illegal to own install and use. What's a rubber band cost anyhow? 1 cent vs. minimum $1500 for a cheapo 3-D printer?

Here's an interesting blog discussion about the Auto-sear:

AR15 DROP-IN AUTO SEARS - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Originaly by Jeff with updates by Quarterbore

There are two types of AR15 Drop-In Auto-Sears (DIAS) available; (1)the so called "legal pre-81" auto sears and (2)the registered auto sear. The "pre-81" sears are commonly advertised in Shotgun News for about $125-$200. The registered and transferable ones are much more difficult to find, and currently (Nov-2003) are priced in the $7500 - 8500 price range. The purpose and function of each type is the same; to convert a semi-automatic AR15 rifle to full automatic. While there is no physical difference between the two, there are enormous legal differences - one is completely legal to own and use, the other is a felony waiting to happen.

THE REGISTERED & TRANSFERABLE DROP-IN AUTO SEAR

This is a an auto sear made before 1986 and registered (tax paid) with the BATF as a machinegun. Currently (Nov-2003) they sell in the $7500 - 8500 price range and require an additional $200 transfer tax to own. This is the only type an individual can use to make an AR15 full auto. To obtain one, an individual (non FFL/SOT) would have to live in a state that permits ownership of full auto firearms and complete a BATF form 4 in duplicate with fingerprints, pictures, and a CLEO certification. The auto sear itself is legally the same as a complete transferable machinegun - it is legal to own and use, provided the paperwork is filed with BATF and you receive an approved form 4. The registered auto sear requires installation of M16 (full auto) fire control parts (trigger, disconnector, selector, hammer, and bolt carrier) in the semi automatic host rifle. Normally, even possession of an M16 part with an AR15 is a felony - it doesn't even have to be installed in the gun! If you own a registered DIAS however, possession is permitted as long as you are the legal owner of a registered DIAS. If the DIAS is removed from the rifle, the M16 parts MUST BE REMOVED also. The instant a registered DIAS is removed, any M16 parts in the AR15 will constitute a felony. The same principle also applies to barrel length. If you have a short barrel (less than 16") on an AR15 with a registered DIAS installed, you must remove the barrel/upper whenever the DIAS is not in the gun. The registered DIAS can be installed in either a pre or post ban AR15 with all the evil assault features you wish. Because the DIAS makes the rifle full automatic when installed, it is no longer covered by the 1994 assault weapons ban, which defines an assault weapon as a "semiautomatic rifle" with specific features (bayo. lug, threaded barrel, flash hider, etc.). When the sear is removed from a post-ban gun, you must restore the gun to a post-ban configuration, and remove those evil assault features. Just remember, when the registered DIAS is installed, the host gun becomes like a machinegun and is treated as such. The instant the DIAS is removed, the host firearm must revert back to its original semiautomatic state (no F/A parts, no short barrels), and if a post ban, it must comply with the assault weapons ban.

THE "PRE-81" DROP-IN AUTO SEAR

The "pre-81" DIAS - commonly advertised in Shotgun News for about $125-$200 are a completely different item than a registered DIAS. Prior to 1981 it was legal to make and own these sears without necessarily registering them as machineguns. BATF eventually caught on, and in 1981 issued a ruling that the sears were considered machinegun conversion parts and sears made after 1981 had to be registered (tax paid) and transfer as any other NFA item (these became the registered ones referred to above). BATF grandfathered the unregistered sears made prior to 1981, but sears made after 1981 had to either be registered or are considered unregistered machineguns - a serious felony. IT IS A FELONY TO POSSESS BOTH A PRE-81 DROP-IN AUTO SEAR AND AN AR15 - UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN AN INDIVIDUAL LEGALLY USE A PRE-81 DIAS IN AN AR15. Technically, you are allowed to possess an unregistered DIAS which was made prior to 1981, but you cannot possess one if you own an AR15 - it's one or the other, but not both. Obviously, this rule makes possession of a pre-81 DIAS useless - if you cannot own the rifle it goes in, about all you can do with them is to make cufflinks, earrings, or a very small paperweight.

The so called "pre-81" DIAS presents another legal problem, which can make the mere possession of the sear a felony - even in the complete absence or an AR15. As stated previously, only sears made prior to 1981 are allowed to be unregistered - any sears made after the 1981 ruling must be registered or will be considered by BATF to be unregistered machineguns. Because none of the pre-81 sears carry a serial number which can be definitively linked to a date of manufacture, there is no way to prove to BATF or a prosecutor that an unregistered pre-81 DIAS was actually made prior to 1981. If you are caught with one (just a sear, not even with a rifle) BATF can assume it was made after 1981, and therefore prosecute for felony possession of an unregistered machinegun. The burden of proof will fall on the owner of the sear to prove it was made prior to 1981 - very difficult to do without a serial number of date of manufacture on the sear itself. Granted, some pre-81 sears come with a letter purported to document the sears authenticity, but often these are just Xeroxed, and will not stand up to the scrutiny of a prosecutor.

CONCLUSIONS

If you are considering buying an auto sear to convert your AR15 to a full automatic firearm, there is only one option - the registered & transferable DIAS. While it may be tempting to buy a pre-81 to save thousands over the registered sear, the risks are considerable. Possession of an unregistered machinegun (a pre-81 DIAS and an AR15 rifle...or possibly even just a so called "pre-81" DIAS) is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine, and permanent loss of your right to ever own a gun or vote again. Numerous rumors have circulated that some of the people selling the pre-81 sears are actually BATF operations. Buyer beware.

Pushing the limits even further HaveBlue has successfully built a 3D printed AR-15 rifle.

Link

Ignoring the legal ramifications, this development should come as no surprise as 3D printing has come a long way in a very short time and will continue to develop, opening up amazing opportunities in the manufacturing industry where it can be more than just a prototype model manufacturing system.

On a side note we just took possession of our very first 3D printer. We won't be building any firearms, but in the near future we may have a 3D printer running side by side with our CNC machines on the factory floor churning out inexpensive product for direct sale to our eager customers.

_{3D printing - A poor mans "Star Trek" matter replicator.}

How long will it be before a Canon 3D printer starts churning out artillery pieces?