May.9, 2013
On Thursday, May 9, Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson announced that he has received a letter from the State Department Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (DTCC) requesting him taking down immediately all data supposedly in violation of the Arms Export Control Act from public access, including the 3D-printable "Liberator" handgun, and nine other 3D-printable firearms components uploaded on Defcad.org.
The letter says:
"DTCC/END is conducting a review of technical data made publicly available by Defense Distributed through its 3D printing website, DEFCAD.org, the majority of which appear to be related to items in Category I of the USML (United States Munitions List). Defense Distributed may have released ITAR-controlled technical data without required prior authorization from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), a violation of the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)."
"Pursuant to § 127.1 of the ITAR it is unlawful to export any defense article or technical data for which a license or written approval is required without first obtaining the required authorization from the DTCC."
The letter says that the Department believes Defense Distributed may not have established the proper jurisdiction of the subject technical data. It lists 10 files on defcad.org that DTCC sees as a violation of the ITAR.
"To resolve this matter officially, we request that Defense Distributed submit Commodity Jurisdiction (CJ) determination requests for the following selection of data files available on DEFCAD.org, and any other technical data for which Defense Distributed is unable to determine proper jurisdiction:
- Defense Distributed Liberator pistol
- .22 el3ectric
- 125mm BK-14M high-explosive anti-tank warhead
- 5.56/.223 muzzle brake
- Springfield XD-40 tactical slide assembly
- Sound Moderator – slip on
- "The Dirty Diane" ½-28 to 3/4-16 STP S3600 oil filter silencer adapter
- 12 gauge .22 CB sub-caliber insert
- Voltlock electronic black powder system
- VZ-58 front sight"
"Until the Department provides Defense Distributed with the final CJ determinations, Defense Distributed should treat the above technical data as ITAR-controlled. This means that all such data shoudl be removed form public access immediately. Defense Distributed should also review the remainder of the data made public on its website to determine whether any additional data may be similarly controlled and proceed according to ITAR requirements."
Up to now the blueprints of the Liberator 3D printable gun have reportedly already been downloaded over 100,000 times. Earlier today, some experts warned that 3D-printed guns may cause a danger to their users.
defcad.org has moved the files and announced the following on the website:
DEFCAD files are being removed from public access at the request of the US Department of Defense Trade Controls. Until further notice, the United States government claims control of the information.
Source: Forbes
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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What no one seems to be pointing out is that the Sound Moderator part was designed by New Zealander Vik Olliver, and therefore is not under the jurisdiction of USA law. The Sound Moderator design was made in New Zealand, where it is completely legal, and was shared openly on Thingiverse (and now several other websites).
Hawk wrote at 5/13/2013 3:12:16 PM:
Real issue is that the manufacturers will loose money. They spent way too much in NRA and lobbying to have someone put out something for free that would cause them to loose money. So, they send the government on them like guard dogs they are to secure the item(s) before it gets too far and loose footing and money. So, if you don't see the NRA and GOP and all those higher ups yelling about 2nd amendment freedoms and to let the files be shared again, then you know they are only more guard dogs for the gun manufacturers. I mean you been hearing for how long about "defending your family" and "hunting" and such. So why not now? Just like the politician going on about making printable guns illegal. Where is the one for the ones that been out there already for many years if you have the milling and cnc machines to do it. If a person can walk into a gun show with cash and come out with many guns without background check, or even showing an ID, why should people not be able to print their own gun if they have the machine to do it?
ThatGuy wrote at 5/10/2013 7:07:39 PM:
And the govt publishes the TDP for the m16 lower receiver......
CornGolem wrote at 5/10/2013 11:49:33 AM:
Big bullshit, there are many fully modeled fire arms on known 3D files library sites and you never hear about them.
Franklin Dattein wrote at 5/10/2013 1:31:02 AM:
This is the decade of governments stupidly trying to control the freedom of information. 10 years ahead we will look back and think "Home come they even tried that" What is even more curios is the fact it is coming from the American government in a country where you can buy a gun on the same place where you do grocery shopping. It is sad.
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