Purpose has something to do with it. There is only one thing that you can use a gun for, while other objects have other peaceful and harmless uses.
True, But the argument was that because a 3D printer could be used to make guns it should be banned in that vain then so should lathes etc the gun is only a by-product of what is really a tool
The article is a little vague, was this person simply arrested for attempting to make a 3d gun and gun powder? Neither of which is illegal, or was it a raid for something else where they just happend to find those things? Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Pretty sure professional gun smiths have used a 3D printer to make gun parts already. Doesn't make the capability of those machines a bad thing, the intention of the user is the potential problem. The point is, if someone is desperate enough to manufacture a weapon they'll use whatever method they can, legal or otherwise, surely!? Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk
I disagree with that argument (and agree with you). A 3D printer or lathe has a purpose that is not exclusively to make weapons. It's just a tool.
I work in the additive manufacturing industry (or as everyone else seems to call it, '3D printing') and stuff like this really irritates me. I fear that laws will be put in place by those who don't understand the technology limiting the capabilities of these machines. How are we supposed to control it? Analyse a model being printed for geometry indicative of a gun? That'll probably mean 90%* of parts would be rejected. I like the video DXR_13KE posted. It shows that using some simple off the shelf components would be far more effective and cheaper than using a freely available 3D printer - something I've been telling everyone who cares to listen. To be honest, you're probably better off using a knife than a 3D printed gun to murder someone. You'd also be surprised at the amount of people who have access to general machining tools - these would make a far more effective gun. I don't see anyone making a song and dance about clamping down on these. *Made up number
He wasn't even making a gun, they were just spare printer parts. This is what the police mistook for the magazine: http://www.newstatesman.com/future-...eized-manchester-actually-spare-printer-parts
Sure its easy to make a gun if someone wanted to, but i think what has some people worried is the ease that a 3D printer brings to the process. Making a gun or its parts with machining tools take time and some skill, where as any wally of any age can use a 3D printer and it would take considerably less time.
I would argue that the current consumer 3D printers are so slow that it would be significantly quicker to make a simple gun from pipe than printing one, The other thing you have to take into account is that, yes whilst anybody can use a 3D printer, printing a working gun with one isn't going to be as simple as it sounds.
I have access to 3D printers (and i can design and print very intricate parts) and no access to machining tools and i am sure i can make a far more effective gun with pipes and nails, i can even make a deadly crossbow without any machining and using very common supplies. edit: from http://hackaday.com/2013/10/25/mills-and-lathes-apparently-illegal-in-the-uk/:
@DXR_13KE, Not sure i understand what you are trying to say First you say how much easier it is for you to make a gun with pipes and nails or a crossbow. Then you post a link echoing exactly what i said above about the public perception not reflecting reality. There are many widely held opinions that are incorrect or false hoods reported by the media, but that doesn't stop Jo public from wanting something done about them, a fear doesn't have to be real. ― Will Smith : After-earth “Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.”
Main point I think that's missing from the article is why this person was targetted by police when it was obviously not gun parts. Was it just becasue he's got a 3D printer? If so, how did they know? Was he bragging on the internet or pub that he could make a gun with his 3D printer and someone grassed him up? It seems so ridiculous it makes me wonder if it even happened.
