It’s now possible that anyone with a 3-D printer and an Internet connection will be able to print a lethal device,thanks to Cody Wilson, the 25-year old founder of Defense Distributed. The blueprints for the world’s first 3-D printed handgun, called ‘The Liberator’ will be available online this week.
Wilson, who describes himself as a “free-market anarchist” and a University of Texas (where else?) law student” is aware that his invention concerns lawmakers. “You can print a lethal device,” said Wilson to Forbes. “It’s kind of scary, but that’s what we’re aiming to show.” My question of course, is – if his intent was to ‘show’ how easy it is, why then did he feel the need to make the technology available online? Apparently Wilson hasn’t envisioned the true cost of uncorking this genie, like many inventors before him, he only thought of profits and not the down side for the rest of us. Enter concerned lawmakers.
Chuck Schumer, called the use of the technology “Stomach-churning.”
New York Rep. Steve Israel has called for a renewal of the Undetectable Firearms Act, and New York Sen.
“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,” Israel said in a statement on 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 is proven, we need to act now.”
I am told that the printer costs approximately $4,000. this is roughly the same price as a laser printer in the early ’90’s – hardly cost prohibitive when you can produce untraceable fire-arms with it. I certainly do not want this technology used to produce untraceable guns, airplanes or drones. But – let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. If this printer can faithfully replicate a gun, why not produce another another printer, or an iPad, E-Reader, maybe even clothing…Or a Jaguar XK-E? In other words, let’s not be hasty! It is rather telling and sad, that with all of the gizmos and gadgets in demand on this planet, Cody Wilson set out to produce a gun, and only a gun with his magic printer.