Yahoo News
A new front is emerging in the debate over gun control in the US, as some members of Congress seek to ban firearms that can be made through the technology of 3D printing.
The technology opens the door for people to create guns, using plans downloaded from the Internet, that could elude detection in security screenings at places such as airports.
3D printers are becoming increasingly common as tools for making three-dimensional objects out of plastic or similar materials, much the way a traditional printer applies ink to paper based on instructions from a computer.
Controversy about the technology’s use in making guns revved up in recent days, with a private group that dubs itself the “wiki weapon project” preparing to release plans for constructing a handgun that could be made almost entirely with a pieces from a 3D printer.
The gun can operate with 16 printed parts and one nonprinted component, an ordinary nail used as a firing pin. According to news reports, the gun also has a compartment to insert a six-ounce piece of steel - to make it visible in a metal detector, as required by the Undetectable Firearms Act.
“Security checkpoints, background checks, and gun regulations will do little good if criminals can print plastic firearms at home and bring those firearms through metal detectors with no one the wiser,” Rep. Steve Israel (D) of New York said in a statement released Friday. “When I started talking about the issue of plastic firearms months ago, I was told the idea of a plastic gun is science-fiction. Now that this technology appears to be upon us, we need to act now to extend the ban on plastic firearms.”
Where have I heard that before, "a plastic gun is science fiction?"
I suppose, like Congressman Israel, I must admit at this point that there's something to this 3-D printing of guns. Further, considering the way computer technology advances so rapidly, I suppose the costs involved will soon make the fancy printers available to the general public.
But, I'm still missing the point? Why is this so important to the gun nuts? Is it the solution to that bizarre fantasy of total government tyranny? Short of that, given the availability of guns today, what's the point?
This article seems to imply that it's criminals who will benefit most, being able to beat metal detectors? Why are lawful gun owners so interested?
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.