Posted on 10/06/2014 12:37:17 PM PDT by Nachum
Last May, I covered the work of Defense Distributed with regard to its building of tools for individuals to 3D-print their own firearms in the post. Meet “The Liberator”: The World’s First Fully 3D-Printed Firearm, In it, I noted:
3D-printing, like decentralized crypto currencies, have the potential to change the world in which we live in extraordinary ways. Ways that are almost inconceivable at this point given we are so early in the game. More than anything else, these technologies can empower the individual like never before, and I think that is generally a very good thing.
While all sixteen pieces of the Liberator were printed in ABS plastic, the $1,200 computer-controlled (CNC) milling machine called the “Ghost Gunner,” is capable of automatically carving polymer, wood, and metal in three dimensions. More from Wired:
Americans want guns without serial numbers. And apparently, they want to make them at home.
On Wednesday, Cody Wilson’s libertarian non-profit Defense Distributed revealed the Ghost Gunner, a $1,200 computer-controlled (CNC) milling machine designed to let anyone make the aluminum body of an AR-15 rifle at home, with no expertise, no regulation, and no serial numbers. Since then, he’s sold more than 200 of the foot-cubed CNC mills—175 in the first 24 hours. That’s well beyond his expectations; Wilson had planned to sell only 110 of the machines total before cutting off orders.
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
He needs to make sure he doesn’t have a customer list and no easy way to create one, akin to what Apple just did.
My favorite home build.
It is nothing but property, and non titled property at that. As far as a will goes, it is just like a hammer or a chainsaw.
And, as I understood the article, all the device does is finish an 80% lower via dedicated CNC.
This is NOT the “holy grail” of “insert a block of steel, functioning gun emerges (some assembly required)”. You still need 100% of barrel, upper, stock, shroud, gas impingement, bolt, trigger complex, and a bunch of other stuff PLUS the 80% complete lower which this device does the remaining 20% on ... _then_ you have to competently put it all together, hoping all the tolerances & finish fit and function well. This is a specialty hobbyist’s tool, nothing more - nigh unto NOBODY using such a weapon in earnest for any reason would use this device to make it.
IIRC, not an issue. You _can_ sell it (IIRC, IANAL, YMMV) but in no way can that sale smell of “business”.
Why not just go buy one? They aren’t that expensive.
Do you mean we are only allowed to make one in our lifetime? Or did I misunderstand?
I don’t think that is right, but hey I do parts kits on serialized receivers
I mispoke, you can make as many as you like but you are kinda stuck with them forever
I try to stay out of gray areas with BATF
I plan on going to those EAA workshops next year. I’ve been a member for a couple of years. Other than going to Oshkosh once, I haven’t done much with it.
The ones that are left this year conflict with stuff like relative’s weddings and some job related conflicts.
Some weekday evenings I’very been learning some of the ins and 9uts of B25 restoration for display. I used to work with my hands some but haven’t much being an IT person.
Apparently they are more secretive than the Culper spy ring.
“nigh unto NOBODY using such a weapon in earnest for any reason would use this device to make it.”
Yes, whether you use this handy gadget, or finish an 80% lower using a drill press, or router or whatever, you have only built a gun in a legal sense. The lower receiver is that part of an AR that is serialized and therefore the part that the ATF considers to be a gun. The rest of the parts are just parts and can be bought online with no paperwork.
Apparently, the original patent for the AR ran out or something, so everyone and their brother is allowed to build AR parts to the same exact specifications. Customization is considered to be the AR’s strong point and lots of people customize their guns up to and including building one from the ground up. It takes only a few specialized tools, some manual dexterity and attention to detail but no real gunsmithing.
I began as an EAA member in 1964 and let it lapse while going to college. Rejoined in 1974 and have been a member ever since. My wife and I have been to about 15 EAA conventions and I highly recommend them. Staying and eating at the university dorm is pretty inexpensive. The expensive part is going through the Fly-Market.
I liked the EAA magazines 20 to 40 years ago better than now. There was a lot more people like me in them. However, it is always interesting.
TTIWWP
...an undocumented migrant printer with ebola. Just to be sure.
“I try to stay out of gray areas with BATF”
Absolutely! These folks building 80% guns are nuts if thy think the gooberment doesn’t know. They have everyone’s credit card purchase info, 1,000 rounds of 223 ordered, you are assumed to have an AR. Same for a barrel, fire control group, etc.
Factory lowers can b bought for $39 now, no need for all the cloak and dagger.
Weaponsman is hot for one of these since he plunked his money down. A very good blog dealing with a range of subjects that interest him
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