3 ms·

I don't get it - afaik you can get every single part of a gun except for the lower receiver/pistol frame without any restriction - as those parts are legally de

I don't get it - afaik you can get every single part of a gun except for the lower receiver/pistol frame without any restriction - as those parts are legally defined as the 'gun' - the rest are just replacement parts. Even for those, you can get 80% finished parts for those - just drill a few holes, and file off some tidbits, and you get an almost factory-spec gun. I'm no expert on US gun law, but afaik, some states even allow you to make your own guns without registration, as the law defines gun manufacturing as manufacturing with the intent of selling them. So there's plenty of options, many of them better than making a gun with a printer. But even all this is typically overkill, I dont think criminals go to these lengths to make their own guns, they just get them from somewhere.

Neeek 9mo ago
The only usable part a plastic 3D printer will make for you is the receiver, which is the whole point, to circumvent that very narrow legal classification. You're right about alternative lawmaking avenues, but given the 2a pushback on controlling "replacement parts" Americans are kind of stuck with the bed they made.
- int_19h 9mo ago
  That was the case like 3 years ago. Things have advanced significantly since then.
- throw3e98 9mo ago
  > The only usable part a plastic 3D printer will make for you is the receiver this hasn't been true for like 5 years now
  - Neeek 9mo ago
    Well over a decade actually https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberator_(gun) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberator_(gun) but of course just ignore the context of the parent comment about what's legally considered a firearm.
jhallenworld 9mo ago
The receiver is like the asset tag on computer servers- it's the one thing that is definitely not replaceable since it has the serial number used for entitlement.
enceladus06 9mo ago
Exactly, but it's less effort to steal a gun or have someone else purchase a gun for you then to 3d print a gun. But even then it's not that difficult, it's entirely possible and legal in many states to print a polymer lower for a AR15 or Glock 17. Then go buy a parts kit from PSA $450 and have fun zero background check or sales tax required as the smaller gun parts stores do not have multistate business nexuses. It is also not difficult to 3dprint a glock switch, even though they illegal per the NFA https://3dgo.app/models/makerworld/2035005 https://3dgo.app/models/makerworld/2035005. This is 100% virtue-signaling from politicians.

Neeek 9mo ago

The only usable part a plastic 3D printer will make for you is the receiver, which is the whole point, to circumvent that very narrow legal classification. You're right about alternative lawmaking avenues, but given the 2a pushback on controlling "replacement parts" Americans are kind of stuck with the bed they made.

int_19h 9mo ago
That was the case like 3 years ago. Things have advanced significantly since then.
throw3e98 9mo ago
> The only usable part a plastic 3D printer will make for you is the receiver this hasn't been true for like 5 years now
- Neeek 9mo ago
  Well over a decade actually https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberator_(gun) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberator_(gun) but of course just ignore the context of the parent comment about what's legally considered a firearm.

jhallenworld 9mo ago

The receiver is like the asset tag on computer servers- it's the one thing that is definitely not replaceable since it has the serial number used for entitlement.

enceladus06 9mo ago

Exactly, but it's less effort to steal a gun or have someone else purchase a gun for you then to 3d print a gun. But even then it's not that difficult, it's entirely possible and legal in many states to print a polymer lower for a AR15 or Glock 17. Then go buy a parts kit from PSA $450 and have fun zero background check or sales tax required as the smaller gun parts stores do not have multistate business nexuses. It is also not difficult to 3dprint a glock switch, even though they illegal per the NFA https://3dgo.app/models/makerworld/2035005 https://3dgo.app/models/makerworld/2035005. This is 100% virtue-signaling from politicians.