Game Changer
But now there this is….
Imagine you had a printer at home that could “print” objects in 3D using super high-strength (plastic) polymers based on “blueprint” CAD files you downloaded off the Internet for free.
Then imagine the printer, outside of its electrical components, was made entirely of parts that could be printed on the printer. In other words, your printer could replicate itself over and over and over.
And, what if it was free?
Allow me to introduce you to RepRap, humanity’s first general-purpose self-replicating manufacturing machine. http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
Now imagine you could use your free RepRap to print at home (among a gazillion other things you currently buy) magazines and other components for your firearms.
It’s not science fiction. It’s already being done…
Over the past weekend, Defense Distributed successfully 3D-printed and tested an ammunition magazine for an AR semi-automatic rifle, loading and firing 86 rounds from the 30-round clip.
The white piece is the “homemade” printed magazine.
That homemade chunk of curved plastic holds special significance: Between 1994 and 2004, so-called “high capacity magazines” capable of holding more than 10 bullets were banned from sale. And a new gun control bill proposed by California Senator Diane Feinstein would ban those larger ammo clips again. President Obama has also voiced support for the magazine restrictions.
But Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson says he hopes the group’s recent work demonstrates the futility of that proposed ban in the age of cheap 3D printing.
“We want to preempt Feinstein, to eat their lunch,” says Wilson. “This isn’t 1994.The Internet happened since the last assault weapons ban. This is a fledgling tech, but look what we’re able to do. We printed that magazine out.”
Defense Distributed uploaded its blueprint for the 3D-printable magazine to its website, Defcad.org, which aims to collect designs for gun components, many of which have been removed from other websites. In just the last six days, according to Wilson, 20,000 files have been downloaded from Defcad, including more than 2,200 downloads of files for printing the three pieces that are assembled to create the magazine.
“The liberty crowd loves it,” says Wilson.
“[Lawmakers] are taking a giant step backward, and it makes everything we’ve talked about more practical,” says Wilson. “There’s more opportunity to demonstrate the usefulness, the consequences of our project. I can already print this magazine and show that prohibition has run up against a problem.”
Not only did they design and print the magazine – they uploaded the printer files to the Internet so anyone with a 3D printer can make their own mags at home.
Here’s the files: http://defcad.org/ar-15-magazine-30-round-mag/
And then, here’s another white chunk of plastic. That’s a complete, operable AR lower receiver.
Here’s the video page of it in operation among others: http://defensedistributed.com/video/
This is an absolutely amazing technology that truly has the capacity to forever change our lives.
Think of the ramifications to manufacturing. To the legal community. To regulations. To the economy.
To liberty.
Wow.
We need your help! If you like PunditHouse, please consider donating to us. Even $5 a month can make a difference!
Short URL: https://pundithouse.com/?p=12866
