as seen on tv
Senator
(full disclosure - this writer favors a constitutional amendment to license and insure firearms in a manner similar to automobiles. but all that may moot based on the article i encountered this morning - link at bottom)
Hey boys and girls - how would you like to make your very own (fully functional) handgun right in your own bedroom. Or assault rifle? Here's how you can do it:
Google "3D printer". It's one of those newfangled things you connect to your PC, and put a bunch of raw plastic or other composite material in the hopper. You then send a schematic (3D template) to the printer of what you want to make. Transformer action figures; barbie doll accessories - or working parts for weapons.
Yes . . this is exciting. And it REALLY REALLY works (see link at bottom)
Federal authorities have been concerned for several years that "ceramic" knives (non metallic, but with wickedly sharp and powerful blades) could be brought onto aircraft without getting flagged by metal detectors. Then there emerged an undercurrent of debate about "plastic guns" being a risk. Probably not as much risk, however, because you still need metal bullets (for now) so its more difficult for a crazed jihadist to bring bullets on board, although he might be able to intimidate the passengers and pilot with the unloaded weapon itself.
All that is moot now - you can "print" the essential components of smith and wesson, glock, UZI, or AK47 right in your own bedroom if you're handy with computers. And what nerdy, disaffected teen boy isn't into cutting edge computer stuff?
Bullets are widely available. They shouldn't be, but they are. It's like cigarettes - kids aren't supposed to get those either, but because they don't have serial numbers its impossible to prevent "proxy" purchases of cigarettes and ammo to be re-sold to "persons prohibited"
I don't think we're going to be able to ban the ownership of 3D printers. Maybe the NSA can spy on everyone's computer, and alarm goes off at their underground bunker whenever a PC retrieves a schematic that appears to be a weapons part?
In any case, I'm (sorrowfully) predicting that its just a matter of time until some 14 year old loner/loser - who always dressed in black and had sneer for the rest of the school - brings his homemade 9mm pistol to school to teach everyone else a lesson.
And then we can ask "why don't parents know what their kids are up to?"
here's the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24666591
Hey boys and girls - how would you like to make your very own (fully functional) handgun right in your own bedroom. Or assault rifle? Here's how you can do it:
Google "3D printer". It's one of those newfangled things you connect to your PC, and put a bunch of raw plastic or other composite material in the hopper. You then send a schematic (3D template) to the printer of what you want to make. Transformer action figures; barbie doll accessories - or working parts for weapons.
Yes . . this is exciting. And it REALLY REALLY works (see link at bottom)
Federal authorities have been concerned for several years that "ceramic" knives (non metallic, but with wickedly sharp and powerful blades) could be brought onto aircraft without getting flagged by metal detectors. Then there emerged an undercurrent of debate about "plastic guns" being a risk. Probably not as much risk, however, because you still need metal bullets (for now) so its more difficult for a crazed jihadist to bring bullets on board, although he might be able to intimidate the passengers and pilot with the unloaded weapon itself.
All that is moot now - you can "print" the essential components of smith and wesson, glock, UZI, or AK47 right in your own bedroom if you're handy with computers. And what nerdy, disaffected teen boy isn't into cutting edge computer stuff?
Bullets are widely available. They shouldn't be, but they are. It's like cigarettes - kids aren't supposed to get those either, but because they don't have serial numbers its impossible to prevent "proxy" purchases of cigarettes and ammo to be re-sold to "persons prohibited"
I don't think we're going to be able to ban the ownership of 3D printers. Maybe the NSA can spy on everyone's computer, and alarm goes off at their underground bunker whenever a PC retrieves a schematic that appears to be a weapons part?
In any case, I'm (sorrowfully) predicting that its just a matter of time until some 14 year old loner/loser - who always dressed in black and had sneer for the rest of the school - brings his homemade 9mm pistol to school to teach everyone else a lesson.
And then we can ask "why don't parents know what their kids are up to?"
here's the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24666591
