3D-Printed Guns Create Issues for Lawmakers

By Sarah Meyer, PrinterComparison Editor | | 1294 Reads

The latest chapter of the infamous 3D-printed gun is unfolding this week after U.S. Representative Steve Israel, D-N.Y. called for a renewal of the Undetectable Firearms Act at a press conference this weekend following the news that the "Wiki Weapon," an AR-15 assault rifle assembled with parts from a 3D printer, test fired six shots last week.

Rep. Israel stated at his news conference that "it is just a matter of time before these three-dimensional printers will be able to replicate an entire gun" although it seems like a bit of showboating considering the "Wiki Weapon" failed after six shots specifically because of the plastic piece made from the 3D printer.

Rep. Israel was joined at the news conference by Suffolk County Police Chief of Department James Burke, who speculated that 3-D printers could bring about the proliferation of guns "in our children's bedrooms, in basements and in dorm rooms."

"With the prices of these printers under $1,000, I think anyone can imagine the rise of an amateur gun maker in our community," Burke said.

But the reality isn't so simple considering the group that created the "Wiki Weapon," Defense Distributed, raised over $20,000 to support their project and then subsequently had the 3D printer lease revoked after the manufacturer, Stratasys, found out about the group's plan.

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3D-Printed Guns Create Issues for Lawmakers

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