4 ms·

Gun control or the lack of it in the U.S. is ultimately due to regulatory capture by the gun industry. I'm sure legislators will draft into laws provisions that

by teyc 14y ago

Gun control or the lack of it in the U.S. is ultimately due to regulatory capture by the gun industry. I'm sure legislators will draft into laws provisions that would make sure the legal gun industry retains its commercial upsides over 3D printing.

cpursley 14y ago
Exactly.
Symmetry 14y ago
You don't think the NRA has anything to do with it? Public opinion in rural states? The second amendment?
damoncali 14y ago
That is not even close to true. The gun industry is tiny. The real power comes from the millions of individuals who vote in unison on the issues and who have an uncanny political memory (aka the NRA, but they are really just a small subset of gun rights activists).
jstalin 14y ago
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the tens of millions of people who lawfully own guns...
- teyc 14y ago
  Let's briefly talk about gun ownership issues. There are two classes of people who use guns. Those who have a practical need for it, and those who use guns recreationally. The second group are not dissimilar to people who drive Dodge because they want to honor the "farmer in themselves", or people who'd never take their 4WD off-road. It is the same people who buys Harleys and tattoo Harley Davidson's logo. These are "aspirationals". These aspirations don't come out of no where. There's marketing dollars at work. Harley Davidson's may be a way of life for many, and represents an important social outlet. It doesn't take away the fact the Harley Davidson is a commercial endeavour. Private gun ownership is a billion dollar per year industry in the U.S. This is not a niche market. (Harley Davidson's motorcycle sales was $771m per quarter). My thesis is that the NRA, being driven by commercial interests rather than 2nd amendment ideals, will come out in opposition to 3D printing of arms.

4 ms·

Gun control or the lack of it in the U.S. is ultimately due to regulatory capture by the gun industry. I'm sure legislators will draft into laws provisions that

by teyc 14y ago

cpursley 14y ago
Exactly.
Symmetry 14y ago
You don't think the NRA has anything to do with it? Public opinion in rural states? The second amendment?
damoncali 14y ago
That is not even close to true. The gun industry is tiny. The real power comes from the millions of individuals who vote in unison on the issues and who have an uncanny political memory (aka the NRA, but they are really just a small subset of gun rights activists).
jstalin 14y ago
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the tens of millions of people who lawfully own guns...
- teyc 14y ago
  Let's briefly talk about gun ownership issues. There are two classes of people who use guns. Those who have a practical need for it, and those who use guns recreationally. The second group are not dissimilar to people who drive Dodge because they want to honor the "farmer in themselves", or people who'd never take their 4WD off-road. It is the same people who buys Harleys and tattoo Harley Davidson's logo. These are "aspirationals". These aspirations don't come out of no where. There's marketing dollars at work. Harley Davidson's may be a way of life for many, and represents an important social outlet. It doesn't take away the fact the Harley Davidson is a commercial endeavour. Private gun ownership is a billion dollar per year industry in the U.S. This is not a niche market. (Harley Davidson's motorcycle sales was $771m per quarter). My thesis is that the NRA, being driven by commercial interests rather than 2nd amendment ideals, will come out in opposition to 3D printing of arms.