May.6, 2013
This weekend the world's first gun made with 3D printing technology has been successfully tested in the Texas, US. Cody R. Wilson, founder of Defense Distributed, fired the Liberator by hand himself, see the video below.
Forbes documented the test firing, which includes a successful remote test-firing that the trigger was remotely operated by string.
The Libertor is made with a second hand Stratasys 3D printer that Defense Distributed bought for $8,000 (£5,140) from the online auction site eBay.
Wilson told Forbes that his goal with the Liberator is about "liberty". "I recognize that this tool might be used to harm people. That's what it is — it's a gun," he said. "But I don't think that's a reason to not put it out there. I think that liberty in the end is a better interest."
Anti-gun campaigners have criticised the project. US Senator Schumer said that U.S. needs to block 3D plastic guns like 'The Liberator' from Defense Distributed; Europe's law enforcement agency has also expressed concern and said it was monitoring developments. According to Victoria Baines from Europol's cybercrime centre, that "criminals were more likely to pursue traditional routes to obtain firearms."
But Mr Wilson told BBC that "There is a demand of guns - there just is. There are states all over the world that say you can't own firearms - and that's not true anymore.
"I'm seeing a world where technology says you can pretty much be able to have whatever you want. It's not up to the political players any more."
The Liberator's 3D blueprints is now available for download on Defcad.org.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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well duh
ThatGuy wrote at 5/6/2013 7:19:17 PM:
I see it still uses standard brass cased, with lead core, copper jacketed rounds. Not to mention gun powder.