Hacker News Reader

Comment by damoncali | Hacker News Reader

Except firearm construction is totally legal.

Technically, yes. In practice, quite possibly no. AFAIK you can build a gun for yourself legally, but you can't build a gun for sale without a license. A machine like this seems like it would be used to make a lot of guns, which implies trade, which raises the specter of illegal activity.

A DVD drive like this seems like it would be used to make a lot of DVD copies, which implies trade, which raises the specter of illegal activity.

> A DVD drive like this seems like it would be used to make a lot of DVD copies, which implies trade, which raises the specter of illegal activity.

No it doesn't. Most people who have computers with DVD drives do not sell DVDs. On the other hand, most people who have gun manufacturing machines do trade in guns.

Just as relevant, you don't need a license for DVDs, but you do need a license for guns.

A lathe and drill press are all you need to make a gun, but I don't think that most people that own them do trade in guns.

This was the comment that started the thread you're posting in. You might want to go back and reread the conversation that preceded your comment.

That may turn out to be interesting.

The business model of this machine (well, aside from the advocacy/self-promotion angle others describe) is that one person buys this, then allows others to use it to finish their "80% receivers". (And then they do a hell of a lot more work to turn it into a safe, functioning gun, but that's assembly, not machining, a lot more people are good (enough) at the former than the latter.)

Why couldn't someone buy the thing, and then rent it to other hobbyists? Or perhaps a serial resale network could develop. Eventually, I presume that Defense Distributed would release designs for the mill itself.

It's overkill. Completing a lower is doable with normal shop tools. DD is making a point, not a product.

I think it makes more sense to rent or re-sell the machine rather than take the risk of selling bootleg AR-15 lower receivers.

As is refusing to ship something.

True, but lets not pretend this is a legal question. Given that UPS will ship 8 pound jugs of gunpowder to unlicensed individuals every day of the week and twice on Sunday, I have a hard time believing they have some sort of philosophical objection to guns. (I have personally shipped a gun legally via UPS).

So I'm going to conclude the real issue is fear. Fear of governmental overreach and all the hassles it can bring.

Also Tannerite.

Fair enough. It's their prerogative. Now if they can only find the courage to be honest about that.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com