Download an AR-15 automatic online

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Technical crap link

From Guslick's blog:

Figuring that my chances with a full scale print were excellent, I decided to modify the model by strengthening two areas that I was slightly concerned about -- the front takedown pin lugs and the bolt hold catch lugs. Adding more material to the model in SolidWorks was pretty straightforward, and I finished it up by adding an integral trigger guard. I switched out the PP3DP filament for some black Bolson ABS -- after all, the "black rifle" would look a bit odd in ivory (more importantly, it's easier to see/photograph detail on dark material). After slicing the STL file, I sent it to the Stratasys and waited a few days (no speed demons, these old machines).

...However, the idea of deploying highly accessible technology to output firearms cheaply -- and without legal sanction -- is pretty frightening, given recent events and all the loopholes that can impede effective gun control.

Should the internet downloads be limited? Is there a constitutional right that protects downloads?

[W5GA]

As it's speech, yes, it should be allowed. And it's not an automatic anything...it's a model, nothing more, of a semi automatic rifle.

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He has fired over 200 rounds from his .22 "model".

[WØTKX]

Great post.

Make sure to find us plans for dirty nukes and share them as well.

[W5GA]

He has fired over 200 rounds from his .22 "model".

Not surprising as the lower doesn't contain any pressure containing components, that's all in the upper he mated to it. One of those cases where ATF has mandated their restrictions on the wrong part, eh? Under current law, there is nothing illegal about a person making a gun for themselves...at least not at the federal level. As long as you don't try to sell it, then it becomes a felony worth $10k/10 yrs. No requirement for it to have a serial number, either.
OBTW, it's still not an automatic anything...it's a semi-auto.

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Not surprising as the lower doesn't contain any pressure containing components, that's all in the upper he mated to it. One of those cases where ATF has mandated their restrictions on the wrong part, eh? Under current law, there is nothing illegal about a person making a gun for themselves...at least not at the federal level. As long as you don't try to sell it, then it becomes a felony worth $10k/10 yrs. No requirement for it to have a serial number, either.
OBTW, it's still not an automatic anything...it's a semi-auto.

Don't talk to me about it. Write to the article author.

Michael Guslick, a Wisconsin engineer, has used a 15-year old Stratasys 3D printer and blueprints downloaded from the Internet to produce the lower receiver (also known as a frame) of an AR-15 automatic rifle.

If he is printing his own version, what stops him from printing an "automatic"?
Since when is a semi-automatic not an automatic? No one said "fully automatic". Do you believe in "kinda pregnant" or "sorta dead"?

[n2ize]

Technical crap linkShould the internet downloads be limited? Is there a constitutional right that protects downloads?

He isn't doing anything but using technology to provide information about how to do something. It's information and information should never be censored. Might as well ban Chemistry texts, Physics texts because some dangerous things can be created from the information in them.

This merely uses advanced tech to take the info to the next level. I say, so what ? The data "info" is there. Besides, even if they were to try and restrict it there would be tons of ways to get it through... i.e. encryption, steganographic methods, etc. Besides, why should it be illegal to make a gun ?

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He isn't doing anything but using technology to provide information about how to do something. It's information and information should never be censored. Might as well ban Chemistry texts, Physics texts because some dangerous things can be created from the information in them.

The Julian Assange thread is elsewhere.

[kf0rt]

Technically, that's way cool (but far from new). I passed it along to a co-worker who's doing some gun part work. Like everything else, the costs are coming down and the output keeps getting better. 3D printing is well into the hobbyist realm these days.

Philosophically, is this a case of capitalism being it's own worst enemy?

[X-Rated]

Technically, that's way cool (but far from new). I passed it along to a co-worker who's doing some gun part work. Like everything else, the costs are coming down and the output keeps getting better. 3D printing is well into the hobbyist realm these days.

Philosophically, is this a case of capitalism being it's own worst enemy?

$499 for a printer today. Pretty cheap.