This was beat into the ground a few weeks ago. While 3D printing (aka stereolithograpy as we called it 25 years ago when I first used it) is very cool and now very affordable, it’s a bit step from printing a lower receiver on a professional grade SLA to millions of home 3D gunsmiths. Especially since a lower does not a rifle make. And let’s not forget that skilled tradesmen have always been able to make everything, including the lower, with conventional machine tools, and always will.
I agree. But I see this as a turning point from a public policy perspective as much as from a technology perspective.
I’m not an expert, but doesn’t the lower contain the components necessary for an AR15 to be converted to full-auto? Seems to me that would make for a sizable black market for just lowers.
But it is uniquely the lower that is the serialized part and must be purchased from an FFL (face to face sales aside.)
Full uppers with bolt carriers and barrels, handguards, pistol grips, buffers and buffer tubes, buttstocks, lower parts kits, and magazines can all be purchased online and mailed directly to your home. But you need to purchase a lower through an FFL dealer.