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fastneutron

Are there any documented cases of people actually committing crimes with a 3D printed firearm?

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This is almost certainly a reaction to the "Glock auto switch"[0].

They are used to convert semi-automatic Glock handguns to fully automatic (which is illegal without a tax stamp).

They are very popular with criminals (typically gangs) in the US[1].

[0] - https://www.yeggi.com/q/glock+auto+switch/

[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glock_switch

> which is illegal without a tax stamp

Or a Type 7 FFL w/ Class 3 SOT. Stamps are not obtainable post-1986, resulting in a de facto ban.

Committing a crime, such as possessing a 3D printed firearm?

Only illegal in certain states, not federally

It was federally illegal until 2013 if it's wasn't able to be detected by a metal detector: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undetectable_Firearms_Act

Some folks have tried to reintroduce it again. It's one of the few gun laws that even the NRA approved of.

..if you didn't include a piece of ferrous metal in the frame, which most folks specifically did to comply with that legislation.

Not to mention: a magazine and all ammunition is automatically detectable (visually and magnetically.)

AFAIK 3d printed guns aren't illegal as long as they're able to be detected by a metal detector, unless a state has passed a law that imposes an additional restriction.

That is not a crime AFAIK.

Should you 3d print an auto sear (a little bracket-looking thing) then you're in possession of a machine gun, which is illegal.

Why was this downvoted?

The federal laws do state that "possession of specific machine gun parts is considered possession of a machine gun"

Machine gun sears included. Also parts that convert a semi-automatic into a machine gun like a Lightening Link.

Because it's a non-sequitur.

Unregistered machine guns are illegal to possess regardless of how they were made.

3D printing an otherwise legal firearm is not illegal at the Federal level in the United States.

The exchange boils down to:

Comment: That isn't illegal.

Reply: well, if you do this other thing that's illegal, it is.

Where is that law applied?

https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/cji/2-PenalLaw/265/265-01(9)... https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2021/S14A https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2021/S13A https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/080823zr_dc8...

also - my bad formatting aside, I am NOT in favor of 3D printer registration or legislation in any way.

That will be silly, counterproductive and even less impactful than having to show my license and sign an affidavit just to buy properly working cold meds in a gorram grocery store.

i'm not sure if it was 3d printed but shinzo abe was assassinated with a "homemade firearm". it's a bullshit law either way though.

Not 3D printed. 2 metal barrels and some wood from a hardware store. I guess those should be "firearm parts" in New York

It's illegal to kill people in japan.

Ghost gun use in U.S. crimes has risen more than 1,000% since 2017, federal report says:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ghost-gun-use-crimes-1000-perce...

Number of 3D-printed ghost guns soaring in New York:

https://abc7ny.com/nyc-ghost-guns-3d-printed-printer/1334500...

3D Printed Gun Arrests Tripled in Less Than Two Years – 3DPrint.com Investigates:

https://3dprint.com/291684/3d-printed-gun-arrests-tripled-in...

A 3D printed gun can be a ghost gun, but a ghost gun is not inherently 3D printed (99%+ aren't)

That does not count. Those are all from parts kits. 3D printing of firearms outside of superficial accessories is a fraction of a fraction. And newsflash to the world -- Americans have been making "ghost guns" for hundreds of years. Hardly the worth the attention of Law Enforcement. Maybe focus on real crime and not propaganda tuned to scare the average burbanite.

Those are all 80% polymers.

Ghost Gun != 3D printed firearm

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