Nov.7, 2013

Manufacturing a gun using a 3D printer could be banned in Philadelphia. City Council's Public Safety Committee today approved a bill that would ban the use of 3D printing of working firearm in Philadelphia.

"You can use certain types of plastics and certain types of other material to replicate anything," said Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who sponsored the bill. "What will happen if someone used one of these 3-D printers on a personal use, which we are seeing now, to create an actual firearm? That could be something thats catastrophic."

He said he just wants to regulate their use in the manufacture of guns. "If that type of technology gets into the wrong hands… I mean, you only need one or two shots."

Councilman Curtis Jones says one of the concerns is that the plastic gun may be able to get past metal detectors and security systems.

Philadelphia police captain Francis Healy, a special adviser to police commissioner Charles Ramsey, told City Council today, ""While these guns were made of hard plastic and are often very crude at this point, several versions have actually been able to function effectively." He said the Philadelphia Police Department supports its passage into law.

If enacted, Healy said, Philadelphia's law could be among the first in the country.

 

via: CBS Global


Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

 

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Ed wrote at 11/22/2013 7:26:23 AM:

Too bad the City of Philadelphia has no authority to pass such a law. Only the State legislature can do that. § 6120. Limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition. (a) General rule.--No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth. (a.1) No right of action.-- (1) No political subdivision may bring or maintain an action at law or in equity against any firearms or ammunition manufacturer, trade association or dealer for damages, abatement, injunctive relief or any other relief or remedy resulting from or relating to either the lawful design or manufacture of firearms or ammunition or the lawful marketing or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public. (2) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a political subdivision from bringing or maintaining an action against a firearms or ammunition manufacturer or dealer for breach of contract or warranty as to firearms or ammunition purchased by the political subdivision. (b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection: "Dealer." The term shall include any person engaged in the business of selling at wholesale or retail a firearm or ammunition. "Firearms." This term shall have the meaning given to it in section 5515 (relating to prohibiting of paramilitary training) but shall not include air rifles as that term is defined in section 6304 (relating to sale and use of air rifles). "Political subdivision." The term shall include any home rule charter municipality, county, city, borough, incorporated town, township or school district. 18c6120v (Oct. 18, 1974, P.L.768, No.260, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1988, P.L.1275, No.158, eff. 180 days; Oct. 4, 1994, P.L.571, No.84, eff. 60 days; Dec. 15, 1999, P.L.915, No.59, eff. imd.) http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=61&sctn=20&subsctn=0

Jeff wrote at 11/11/2013 6:28:51 PM:

So banning them will stop them from existing? How did that work for Meth (argueably harder to manufacture than a firearm)? Firearms are legal for the "average Joe" to manufacture for personal use. No license required, and restrictions vary by locality, but most have few or none. Most people dont because they can buy one easier, they can get a quality one easier and they are into the hobby to shoot or collect - not manufacture. While a all plastic gun can be made, it can be made without a 3D printer also. They work - after a fashion. They are neither as powerfull or as concealable as traditional ones of metal or metal & plastic. The ammunition almost allways has metal componants (they can be eliminated, but at a great cost of useability and power). They just are not the threat the media and goverment control freaks would have you believe. Remember, there was a time you could carry a gun on an airline in the US - yet few if any airlines were hijacked with one. This is hoopla about nothing.

Baken from kz wrote at 11/10/2013 3:14:55 PM:

Devin You are idiot back! It's pretty easy to combine a metal tube and some other metal parts with other plastic parts. So anyway that simplifies the process considerably. Well I am not from Europe or the North America but almost every month I watch on TV how American citizens shout each other at School and in other public places. I am totally sure that once news will show you a story about mass crimes comitted using composite guns created including 3d printing technology. It isn't obligatory should be of plastic only

Devin wrote at 11/10/2013 5:13:41 AM:

Ummm. Is this a repeat from 1991 when GLOCK was gaining popularity worth it's molded plastic hand grip. Does anyone else realize a gun made completely of plastic can't exist? It would not even fire 1 shot without breaking! Idiots!

Dan wrote at 11/8/2013 8:33:47 PM:

"It is not illegal to manufacture a firearm in the United States" Ah, really? Well... And thus there are people who shout about deadly threat of 3D-printed firearms?! Dear God, please keep America from such "care".

Dan wrote at 11/8/2013 8:03:05 PM:

Baken from Kz, Excuse that it is necessary to break your harmonous theory about ruthless reality. But production of the one-charging gun a task elementary with which it is possible to cope and without the 3D-printer much more simply. But epidemics of distribution of one-charging guns for some reason it isn't observed. I will prompt to you why: 1) the majority of people in it has no need and they spend the time and forces for other jobs; 2) USE (instead of production) firearms involves a great deal of trouble and treats those cases in which law enforcement agencies closely are engaged. Here therefore no epidemic is present and won't be (in reality), though with 3D-printers though without them. Hope it's clear.

1984 wrote at 11/8/2013 6:01:34 PM:

And so it begins, here comes the wave of needless restrictions.

Jake wrote at 11/8/2013 5:27:57 PM:

ThatGuy - It is not illegal to manufacture a firearm in the United States. You can make as many guns as you want. You can not manufacture and SELL a firearm without a Federal Firearm License (FFL). People have been building their own firearms for ages. Everything from 80% lowers for AR15 pattern rifles that only require a jig and a drill press to replicas of hard to find firearms. 5 minutes of Googleing and a a $25 trip to the home improvement store is going to get you a more robust gun than a $900-$2000 ABS/PLA printer is ever going to give you. Julio - an all plastic gun is far from reliable, accurate, or safe. Chamber pressures range from 20,000PSI in 22LR to 35,000PSI in popular hand gun ammunition and pushing metal out of a plastic barrel faster than the speed of sound means they are not going to last very long. Also, all modern forms ammunition have metal components. In your 'inevitable' scenario of a 'mad man' 'shooting a crowd' how would this law stop him? A man that has already committed to breaking the law of murder is going to give pause to a "no plastic guns" law? If someone wanted to get a firearm inside of a restricted area it would be much easier to hide a useful modern firearm in a shipment on unscreened material, or choose a location without metal detectors.

ThatGuy wrote at 11/8/2013 4:08:35 PM:

It would already be a federal crime to produce a firearm. It is the Frankenstein effect. People always fear new technology and want to put unrealistic restrictions on it based on their own ignorant views. Expect to see movies in the near future where some AI program prints up some kind of 3D evil...

Julio wrote at 11/8/2013 3:58:24 PM:

To all: A printer is not like a lathe. there are printers very easy to use that only need a file to print the gun. A lathe needs more knowledge to be used. Today, almost everybody can own a firearm, but it is still controlled. Printing a firearm would not be controlled. I agree, if someone has the intention of get a gun, he will get it no matter what. But let's not make it easier with 3d printing. Biggest problem is that plastic guns are not detectable. They are very easy to introduce in gun free places where metal detectors can not work. It is only a matter of time before a mad man uses a plastic gun to shoot a crowd in a stadium. So, I believe this legislation is good.

Adrian wrote at 11/8/2013 2:20:59 PM:

Of course it won't stop anyone of ill intent, just like the white line down the middle of the highway doesn't stop cars from crossing it. It's a guide. Misguided attempt at controlling a symptom. As mentioned earlier, I can make a gun (if I choose to) on my CNC machine/lathe. Out of plastic. Technology has been affordable for most people to make guns at home for a long time. Who is this law supposed to help anyway?

wire wrote at 11/8/2013 2:09:27 PM:

one-shot gun. Ha they are called zip guns in prison. Made with ball point pen and 22 bullet. no printer needed. I dont see them trying to outlaw ball point pens!

Baken from Kz wrote at 11/8/2013 1:45:45 PM:

Damn & Josh! To create a firearm using a 3D printer won't be just the same like to buy a ready gun as the first way is much much cheaper though it is somewhat more diffucult for the first time. But once someone starts producing such firearms it will come easier every next time untill that guy becomes a professional plastic gun manufacturer. So, there will appear many many guys in your personal neighbourhood who would produce one-use (one-shot) gun which will be capable of a couple of shots and all but that will be quite enough to kill you and your family members. That will be a great braincracking for bullet experts to understand from what 3D printed gun you've been killed %) , so a... be careful!

Josh wrote at 11/8/2013 5:40:57 AM:

Stop the 3D printer censorship. If a gun is legal to own, then I should legally be able to make one. If you don't like guns, then work on making them illegal to own. All this anti-gun talk almost makes me wanna design my own. doh!

Dan wrote at 11/8/2013 12:35:46 AM:

"What will happen if someone used one of these 3-D printers on a personal use, which we are seeing now, to create an actual firearm?" There will be the same that will occur if this someone buys the ready weapon in shop or will get in any illegal way. That is the same that occurs constantly. "That could be something thats catastrophic." Yes, of course, approximately same what was caused by emergence of compact turning and milling machines. All started doing at once on them guns and to kill each other without stopping. The turn of the weapon and so is already regulated by the law. And its illicit manufacturing is forbidden for a long time, unimportant what tools used for this. Adults have enough mind that it to understand. And there are enough tools that with little effort to make it without 3D-printers, but no "catastrophic" nevertheless happens. Occurs more precisely, but generally in the heads of certain legislators and the officials considering own citizens as the mentally underdeveloped.

abowden wrote at 11/7/2013 11:29:22 PM:

How will this stop anyone with ill intent?



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