City and state lawmakers in New York are taking aim at 3D-printed guns with new legislation that would crack down on the practice.
New York City Council Member Lewis Fidler has crafted a bill that would ban 3D gun making unless the printer is a licensed gunsmith.
State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, meanwhile, introduced a bill that would ban the manufacturing, sale, and use of 3D-printed firearms and ammunition magazines.
The bills come after blueprints for a 3D-printed gun were posted on Defcad, known as the Pirate Bay of 3D printing and the brainchild of law student Cody Wilson. Last month, however, the State Department ordered Defcad to remove the blueprints because they violated International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). But the files are still readily available on the Web thanks to sites like The Pirate Bay, TorrentFreak reported.
In Congress, New York Rep. Steve Israel wants to extend the ban on plastic firearms, set to expire in Dec. 2013, via his Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act. Sen. Charles Schumer has also issued his support.
It remains to be seen whether city, state, or federal officials get farther along on this issue. Israel's bill was referred to committee in late April, but has not seen any action since.
Wilson conducted the first test fire of a 3D-printed gun in early May (above). He fired the weapon, also known as the Liberator, near Austin, Texas, and it appeared to hold a single bullet, a .22 rimfire. (For more about 3D-printed guns, see the slideshow above.)
Also check out PCMag's May Q&A with Defcad's Wilson, as well as 3D Printing Might Make Gun Regulation RIAA vs. NRA.
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