Why 3D-Printing an Untraceable Ghost Gun Is Easier Than Ever
www.wired.com
On today’s episode of ‘Uncanny Valley,’ we discuss how WIRED was able to legally 3D-print the same gun allegedly used by Luigi Mangione, and where US law stands on the technology.

On today’s episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss how WIRED was able to legally 3D-print the same gun allegedly used by Luigi Mangione, and where US law stands on the technology.

  • altphoto@lemmy.todayEnglish
    13·
    10 hours ago

    Only the non critical to function parts can be plastic. IE, the barrel can’t be plastic. And you can use literally anything else other than 3D printed stuff.

    So why is 3D printed even an issue. Anything… A CNC, scissors, metal, a grinder, wood, springs, screws…can be made part of or be used to make anything else. Making things is not magic and a 3D printer is not magic either.

    The highest pressure rated plastic has a Ts or just maybe 28ksi. But with 15% elongation and a really weak modulus. So you can make toys basically.

    • mememuseum@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      24 minutes ago

      In the United States, only the lower is considered a gun. There’s no check needed to buy the barrel or slide components, meaning you can print the lower, preferably from a fiber reinforced material, and just slap the unregulated upper components into it.

    • theunknownmuncher@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      9 hours ago

      only the non critical to function parts can be plastic

      This just isn’t reality. For .22lr, nearly 100% of the gun can be plastic, including the barrel. Here are two real examples where the only required metal component is the firing pin:

      https://www.cnet.com/news/politics/the-3d-printed-gun-controversy-everything-you-need-to-know/

      https://3dprint.com/107062/worlds-1st-3d-printed-revolver/

      For more reliable and more powerful guns, some critical components must be metal, of course, like the barrel might at least require a liner, but the majority of the gun and internal mechanism can still be plastic, not only non-functional or cosmetic parts.

      And you can use literally anything else other than 3D printed stuff. So why is 3D printed even an issue.

      Idk, I didn’t say it is. I’m just informing you that 3D printed guns are real, not a “fallacy”, some function very well and reliably, and can actually be made with almost no or minimal metal parts

      • altphoto@lemmy.todayEnglish
        12·
        9 hours ago

        But the issue at hand is about regulating 3D printers. So how about HF CNC machines? Or lathe mill combos? What about resin?

        What about meat? It has vitamins and proteins to make some people really really strong… Enough to choke people with their bare hands! And they are allowed to freely walk among us and even ride the bus, train our plane! Protein is very dangerous stuff. I hear you can even 3D print it!