Technology and Gun Control
Just about everybody has heard of Wayne LaPierre . But who has ever heard of Cody Wilson? While Wayne LaPierre is fighting for our gun right on the federal, state and local levels via the National Rifle Association, Cody Wilson is making gun control obsolete! How is this possible? He uses 3-D printer technology to lower the barrier to gun access and acquisition.
3-D printers are devices which can “print” objects. A conventional printer uses ink and paper to print documents. A 3D printer usually uses plastics to create objects. In both cases the printer needs files to print. Cody has either created or obtained 3-D print files of guns. His main focus is the AR platform. On his website: http://defdist.org/ users can download files. These files are uploaded to a 3D printer (entry level printers cost around $1,000) and in a matter of hours the receiver, magazine or pistol grip is made!
Not everything can be made on a 3-D printer, currently 3-D printers use plastic which is fairly weak compared to aluminum or steel, however 3-D printing technology will get better and cheaper! In 10 to 20 years in to the future it might be possible to print complete metal assemblies.
3-D printing has altered the gun control debate because now if anybody has a 3-D printer they can print as many 30 round magazines in the privacy of their home as they want! The same goes for firearm receivers. Furthermore, as the printing technology improves more items will feasible to print faster and cheaper.
