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> the Government explains that it wants to review whether the designs are in compliance with arms export control laws. I don't understand why this is so reacti

by Zikes 14y ago

> the Government explains that it wants to review whether the designs are in compliance with arms export control laws. I don't understand why this is so reactionary. People have been (very publicly) attempting to make a working 3D printable gun for years, and only now that it's finally happened the appropriate government agency has decided to explore the legal implications?

mikeyouse 14y ago
The government isn't pondering some philosophical question about 3D guns. Defense Distributed has an active federal license to manufacture and distribute firearms. By posting blueprints online, it's very likely they've violated the conditions of that license. From ITAR, what qualifies as sensitive: Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles enumerated elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME. Further clarification: Information .... which is required for the design development, production, manufacture, assembly, operation, repair, testing, maintenance or modification of defense articles. This includes information in the form of blueprints, drawings, photographs, plans, instructions and documentation. How it can be in violation of law: An agreement whereby a U.S. person grants a foreign person an authorization to manufacture defense articles abroad and which involves or contemplates .... The export of technical data or defense articles ... without first obtaining the required license or written approval from the ODTC. Possible punishment entails: Any person who willfully ... Violates any provision ... of the Arms Export Control Act ... or ... any rule or regulation issued under either section ... shall upon conviction be fined for each violation not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. Their blueprints clearly qualify as sensitive, any download traffic from overseas is enough to prove they distributed to 'foreign persons'. The political calculus could save them since it would appear like Obama is trying to ban guns even though Distributed Defense is clearly in violation of federal law. I hope for their sake, there was no download activity from Iran, Cuba, North Korea, etc...
- cobrausn 14y ago
  Actually I think they would hope their was download activity from Iran, Cuba, North Korea, etc... their stated goal is getting guns into the hands of oppressed citizens.
  - mikeyouse 14y ago
    I doubt they would think that way with the possibility of a 20-year felony staring them in the face. Besides, for Iran and Cuba at least, private gun ownership isn't even uncommon.

by Zikes 14y ago

mikeyouse 14y ago

The government isn't pondering some philosophical question about 3D guns. Defense Distributed has an active federal license to manufacture and distribute firearms. By posting blueprints online, it's very likely they've violated the conditions of that license. From ITAR, what qualifies as sensitive: Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles enumerated elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME. Further clarification: Information .... which is required for the design development, production, manufacture, assembly, operation, repair, testing, maintenance or modification of defense articles. This includes information in the form of blueprints, drawings, photographs, plans, instructions and documentation. How it can be in violation of law: An agreement whereby a U.S. person grants a foreign person an authorization to manufacture defense articles abroad and which involves or contemplates .... The export of technical data or defense articles ... without first obtaining the required license or written approval from the ODTC. Possible punishment entails: Any person who willfully ... Violates any provision ... of the Arms Export Control Act ... or ... any rule or regulation issued under either section ... shall upon conviction be fined for each violation not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. Their blueprints clearly qualify as sensitive, any download traffic from overseas is enough to prove they distributed to 'foreign persons'. The political calculus could save them since it would appear like Obama is trying to ban guns even though Distributed Defense is clearly in violation of federal law. I hope for their sake, there was no download activity from Iran, Cuba, North Korea, etc...

cobrausn 14y ago
Actually I think they would hope their was download activity from Iran, Cuba, North Korea, etc... their stated goal is getting guns into the hands of oppressed citizens.
- mikeyouse 14y ago
  I doubt they would think that way with the possibility of a 20-year felony staring them in the face. Besides, for Iran and Cuba at least, private gun ownership isn't even uncommon.