But merely limiting commercial availability of ammo means that the reloader, who can make and distribute ammo outside of these restrictions. So thus the materials used in reloading is equally as desired as being eliminated from the marketplace.
And already, there are calls to eliminate and control any access to gunpowders - smokeless or black powder. To restrict access to lead and tungsten, to curtail the availability of brass. Cheap surplus from military? Virtually gone. Police ranges are melting down brass rather than sell it off to the reloading market. Calls for licensing of the purchase of gunpowders, of requiring specialized marking on firing pins and brass as well as markers in the bullets themselves, unique properties which the reloader won't be able to duplicate and thus produce legally.
And this 3D printed gun will kick all those efforts into high gear. Many on here were well prepared before the ammo shortages hit, now is the time to prepare for the ammo shortages of the future; get your powder, your lead, your tungsten, and your brass in hand now. Make sure you have the molds that will be required for your favorite rounds, even if you don't personally do reloading yourself. Most especially, get your primers now.
Because these restrictions are going to find their way into law. First they'll shut down internet and mail order of the supplies, then they'll go after the reloaders themselves for not meeting impossible marker requirements, microstamping, etc.
The well prepared person will probably have most of this already in hand. And a lot of us will be playing catchup.
Very important response, kingu. BUMP!
So why not 3-D print bullets and shells? If a 3-D printed gun can withhold the pressure of the explosion, why could a 3-D printed bullet or shell do the same? Seems like a logical leap. Now we just need to ask the question about the powder but I suspect, that there are other explosives that can do the work, just that powder as it is developed to today’s standards, is just the most efficient.
Just musing here.
JoMa
Judging by the store shelves at my local Walmart, mission accomplished.
Limit the ammo, and we’ll make a crude weapon to get a better one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI8hpf6KNyk
I’ve wondered about whether electronic ignition might be the wave of the future for home-built weapons? I was decidedly non-plused by the Remington E-tronix concept, but for home-built ammo electronic ignition might be easier than producing the necessary chemicals for conventional primers, while being potentially more reliable than flint.