Awful? Alarming maybe… The announcement is creating a media hype. Cody Wilson, the founder of Defense Distributed (DD), online, open-source organization that develops digital firearms files, or “wiki weapons”, has signed an agreement with the US Department of State that legally authorize users to 3D Print firearms.
The digital firearms files of Defense Distributed can be downloaded from the Internet and manufactured using 3D printing and CNC milling technologies.
The “battle” between DD and the US Department of State started more than 5 years ago when the organization was ordered to remove the designs for a 3D printable digital firearm file from its website.
In 2015, Defense Distributed and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF – an institution that regularly finances lawsuits related to gun rights), sued the State Department which was “censoring information and First Amendment-guaranteed free speech”. Furthermore, the government will also pay a part of the plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees.
“Not only is this a First Amendment victory for free speech, it also is a devastating blow to the gun prohibition lobby,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “For years, anti-gunners have contended that modern semi-automatic sport-utility rifles are ‘weapons of war,’ and with this agreement, the government recognized that they aren’t.”
“Under this settlement,” he continued, “the government will draft and pursue regulatory amendments that eliminate ITAR control over the technical information at the center of this case. They will transfer export jurisdiction to the Commerce Department, which does not impose prior restraint on public speech. That will allow Defense Distributed and SAF to publish information about 3D technology.”
From August 1st, people will have access to the CAD (computer-aided design) files. Defense Distributed already announced it on its website:”The age of the downloadable gun formally begins.”
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
THE 3D ADEPT WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
The industry moves fast. Stay ahead.
Every week, the latest additive manufacturing news, in-depth features and real-world applications, straight to your inbox. Plus, be the first to know when a new issue of 3D ADEPT Mag is out.
Free · One email a week · Unsubscribe anytime
Clicking loads our email provider’s sign-up form, including its analytics and Google’s anti-bot protection. You’re only subscribed if you complete the sign-up. Read our privacy policy.