The World's First 3D-Printed Gun 846
MrSeb writes "An American gunsmith has become the first person to construct and shoot a pistol partly made out of plastic, 3D-printed parts. The creator, who goes by the name HaveBlue and is an AR-15/M16 enthusiast, has reportedly fired 200 rounds with his part-plastic pistol without any sign of wear and tear. HaveBlue's custom creation is a .22-caliber pistol, formed from a 3D-printed AR-15 (M16) lower receiver, and a normal, commercial upper. In other words, the main body of the gun is plastic, while the chamber — where the bullets are actually struck — is solid metal. ... While this pistol obviously wasn't created from scratch using a 3D printer, the interesting thing is that the lower receiver — in a legal sense at least — is what actually constitutes a firearm. This means that people without gun licenses — or people who have had their licenses revoked — could print their own lower receiver and build a complete, off-the-books gun." Here come the illegal shapes. Note that the legal fiction of receiver-as-firearm is true in the U.S., but may not be in other jurisdictions, and that no gun license is required in most of the U.S. to purchase or possess a semi-automatic weapon.
Re:But ... (Score:5, Funny)
Knowing our Congress, they'll try to ban teaching Geometry in schools.
After all, you can't print illegal shapes if you don't know shapes!
Re:But ... (Score:5, Funny)
After all, you can't print illegal shapes if you don't know shapes!
That would've made Apple v. Samsung a lot more interesting.
Re:Isn't that so American (Score:5, Funny)
This is a long, long way from being the very first thing an American has used a 3d printer for. As for whether or not this is the first thing this particular guy printed, it doesn't say. However, he is a gunsmith so it does make sense that he would try printing a gun.
It'd be like saying "World's first 3d printed tea cup is made by housewares company in Britain... how British!" or "World's first 3d printed dildo with tentacles made by adult toy store in Japan... how Japanese"
Re:.22 ? (Score:2, Funny)
They don't have an adapter that small; they'll have to custom fabricate it for you.
Re:Oh brother (Score:4, Funny)
Just an aside. I was once denigrating clothing designers and was challenged to 'design something'. So I designed a bikini for my GF. She refused to even try it on. Didn't like my material choices (clear plastic wrap, dental floss and scotch tape).
Re:Isn't that so American (Score:5, Funny)
Actually the first printed part was much more utilitarian and non-controversial. The day before the printer was completed, a storm had knocked down a few of the trees on the property of the inventor, and instead of heading to the hardware store for the parts to repair his fence, he decided to build the parts needed. The horizontal rails were too large for the printer, so a replacement vertical piece was constructed. This 'first post' is still proudly displayed on the property.
WHO makes Steve Guetenberg A STAR?!! (Score:5, Funny)
Everyone knows the NRA's agenda. "Don't take away our guns! The Second Amendment says we can have 'em."
Actually, you don't learn their real agenda until you've 33rd degree OT XV NRAman.
Re:Really? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm more amazed that someone used bing.com