Looks like it’s time for folks to get acquainted with the next thing that far too many people will freak the hell out about: the Liberator, the first gun consisting almost entirely of parts fabricated via 3D printer.
Named for the World War II era FP-45 Liberator pistols that were manufactured in secret and meant to be dropped behind enemy lines to aid resistance forces in occupied territories, the only non-3D printed part on the modern Liberator is the firing pin, which consists of a repurposed nail.
According to Gizmodo, the open-source blueprints have already been downloaded more than 100,000 times, which means that the single-shot gun firing .22 caliber rimfire rounds has already spread like wildfire throughout the web.
But if you were interested in downloading the blueprints via DEFCAD.org, the website for the folks behind the Liberator project, you might want to hold your horses: the State Department has sent a letter requesting for the blueprints to be pulled down for review. Apparently, the drawings may violate the Arms Export Control Act — via BetaBeat.com:
The group’s website currently has a red banner appended to the top that reads, “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.”
“We got an official letter from the Secretary of State, telling me who they were, what their authority was under U.S. law and telling me they want to review these files to see if they’re class one munitions,” [Cody Wilson of Defense Distributed] told Betabeat by phone. “That includes blueprints.”
In the letter, the State Department says that Defense Distributed may have released data that is controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulation without getting prior authorization.
“Please note that disclosing (including oral or visual disclosure) or transferring technical data to a foreign person, whether in the United States or abroad, is considered an export,” reads the letter. It also says that until Defense Distributed has received the legal all-clear, the company “should treat the above technical data as ITAR-controlled. This means that all such data should be removed from public access immediately.”
So if you really want to fabricate AR-15 lower receivers, single-shot pistols or magazines for your Glock, you’re going to have to wait — but it’s okay, as Wilson believes he’s on the correct side of the law:
“I still think we win in the end,” he added. “Because the files are all over the Internet, the Pirate Bay has it—to think this can be stopped in any meaningful way is to misunderstand what the future of distributive technologies is about.”
This article appears in May 9-15, 2013.
funny, gov. says violates arms export act… like our gov . doesnt violate that treaty -law every day by arming whom ever they feel is fighting for a democratic gov or FREE STATE , PLEASE!!!!
John Mccain says “ARM THE LYBIAN rebels”.. ARM THE SYRIAN rebels , arm POPPIE LAND REBELS, aka the TALIBAN the terrorists our gov and he and others helped create…
any gun can be copied and reproduced if one or a group has the materials equipment and talent..
only reason the feds. “SUPER LIBS” have a issue with this plastic gun is they cant tax it..
compressed air guns are just as if not more dangerous than this 22 pop gun..
black poweder kit guns are not regulated by the feds however their sale is taxed…
buy both at the swap meet ……………
The arms export act does not apply to information shared between interested individuals. Merely possessing the plans for a gun is not illegal anywhere, even in England, where handguns are illegal.
I have a Vietnam era copy of the US Army improvised munitions manual, which is perfectly legal. Tells how to make all kinds of improvised explosives, but without the intent to make such devices, my possession thereof is completely innocuous and LEGAL. Considering that I could obtain a CAD-CAM machine (much easier than a 3D printer) and make all the guns I want (I know how), this action by the federal govt is ludicrous at best and blatantly unconstitutional at best. It is not
in the government’s power to restrict this sort of information and I am reminded of book burnings in
Nazi Germany.
So glad we have the internet. Those plans will exist forever!
I am reminded of the ‘plastic gun’ scare in the late ’80s and early ’90s. I think a lot of the left wing fears were due to the misinformation perpetuated by the film ‘in the line of fire’. Since there is no such thing as nonmetallic ammunition, the risk of someone getting one of these guns past security and using it is nonexistent. You could get the gun thru but not the ammo. A gun without ammo is just a paperweight or bludgeon. A plastic gun is even less useful.
Those who wish to control the situation at hand are the very ones responsible for causing it to happen. Inmates in max security prisons are still able to produce weapons and even have made guns, under the strictest of controlling situations. This push to restrict a RIGHT has made the resourceful of this nation, MORE resourceful and even willing to give it away for free! When we cross a line of censorship on information and trying to control it, we have once again taken away more of the freedoms for which this country stands for. There ARE ways to deal with all these problems, NONE of them 100%, but each more promising then the tasks currently at hand. They do not require taking away a persons freedoms, but instead educating them to better ways and helping making those better ways more available. Gun Control advocates have no one to blame for this other then themselves by being so narrow minded in their way of thinking and trying to force a band-aid on a wound that requires antibiotics and therapy, and the basic willingness to accept that NO MATTER WHAT, sometimes bad things happen.. and trying to use it to make things better.. but not in a way that goes against the core beliefs our country was founded. Just my opinion..
This is a piece of biosolids as a weapon. A stroll through the plumbing section of a hardware store will yield a better gun for $30. The knowledge that it represents is far more damming to those who wish a subject population, than building a plastic gun. It’s not magic guns were made in the 14th century most high school graduates should have more science in their head than was in the libraries of universities of that time.