the next front in the gun control debate -- how to handle 3d printed guns

With the controversy over gun control and public safety, the possibility of ordinary people designing and 3D printing gun parts at home has become a matter of great concern to the public.
In recent years, a large number of individuals have emerged.
Scale manufacturing systems such as self-made 3D printers, desktop CNC milling machines and laser cutting machines.
Although these technologies may have a far-reaching positive impact on technological innovation, there may also be some hidden dangers.
It\'s always possible to make your own guns technically, even at low-
Cost design and manufacturing tools.
The change is that as these technologies continue to improve and prices fall, it becomes easier to make gun parts and can be done with greater care.
Today, with only design blueprints, universal 3D printers and some durable printed plastic, people with relatively low engineering skills can make a work gun in the privacy of their own home.
3D printers and better design software can be disruptive, but they are certainly not the first technology to bring both hope and danger.
For example, counterfeit currency was once a skilled profession before desktop publishing became common, requiring offset printing and experience in obtaining professional equipment.
However, according to the recent public service announcement issued by the United States, todayS.
Secret Service, making counterfeit money has become much easier than before.
The Secret Service bulletin states that modern counterfeiters only need \"basic computer training and skills provided through repeated trials and public education \".
The Secret Service estimates that by 1995, less than 1% counterfeit money was produced using computers and laser printers.
In 2000, five years later, about half of the counterfeit money seized by federal agents was designed on a computer and on a high
Color printer.
Counterfeit money can cause economic harm.
However, fake goods and unauthorized weapons printed in 3D pose a more immediate threat, namely, serious or even fatal physical injuries.
The danger is not just that criminals make guns. -
Criminals today have an easier way to get guns through various black market channels.
The bigger concern is that with emerging families
Making tools, enthusiastic kids and amateurs can make inferior guns and accidentally hurt themselves during the trial.
Criminals who accept 3D printing guns will also pose a new threat: customization
Manufactured weapons and accessories can be designed to look different from today\'s mainstream guns, making their detection more difficult.
Also, metal-
The detector will not be able to detect the gun printed with plastic or nylon.
If you search for \"3D print gun\" on Google, you will find some home demos --
3D printed working gun parts are made of standard ABS plastic with the same material as Lego toys.
An expert successfully printed a complete working pistol with nylon.
These engineering projects show that it is a relatively simple process to manufacture and modify gun accessories such as large-capacity magazine.
No, no one can make up an army.
Upgrade your sniper rifle at home with a 3D printer or automatic weapon and fire 10 bullets per second.
However, even a rough but powerful 3D printing gun is a dangerous weapon-the technology necessary is only improving. Well-
Without keeping up with the technology, written laws formulated with the best intentions cannot be enforced.
If we assume in-
At home, illegal production of gun parts will follow the road of the table top
Counterfeit dollar bills printed may not be as effective as stricter enforcement at retail outlets.
Other proposed gun control solutions, such as putting in resources to set up checkpoints to screen the presence of metal gun parts, may become less effective in the future as it is possible to print polymers in 3DBased on gun parts.
A more efficient problem is a practical one: it will be easier to detect (
Thereby controlling)--
The actual mechanical gun parts or the gunpowder needed to work with the gun?
3D printing and arbitrary-
Using traditional screening techniques is becoming more and more difficult to discover plastic guns that are molded, and perhaps the gun control solution worth exploring may be to impose legal restrictions on gunpowder and explosives.
It is true that gunpowder is a simple chemical mixture, and it is not difficult to make it in China.
However, with the development of chemical sensing technology, the detection of gunpowder may be a simpler and more effective method.
Legal restrictions can only play such a big role in powerful technical tools.
3D printing and other individuals-
The price of scale manufacturing technology will continue to decline, and production capacity will continue to increase.
Trying to stop the development of these technologies is like trying to stop the wave.
Killing technological advances in desktop manufacturing technology and design software is not a constructive solution because it can be used to make weapons.
After all, high school still teaches chemistry. -
Although students can use this knowledge to make drugs or explosives.
The answer is to standardize technology with technology.
The best solution to remain silent on this explosive issue is to combine realistic gun control regulations with an investment in recognition that 3D printed guns may not be as shaped as guns, it may not be sold in a store or even made of metal.