The issue of 3D printed firearms is back, and the U.S. government decided to address it at the federal level
The Atomic Layers: S2E15 (00041)
Atomic Layer of the Day:
This case will either blow over or soon the AM industry may begin to face a serious problem.
3D printed firearms. It keeps coming back. Except now, it's for real. Now 3D printers are truly making a difference.
It’s about small components used to convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic ones (MCD). With them, a semi-automatic gun can be transformed into a fully automatic weapon, capable of firing hundreds of rounds with a single pull of the trigger.
MCDs, also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” can easily be made using 3D printers. Their popularity in criminal circles has made them the most frequently recovered illegal firearm modifications in the U.S. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has recorded a 570% increase in the number of confiscations of these devices over the past decade.
This has prompted U.S. authorities to take urgent action.
At the beginning of August, I reported that the City of Chicago sued Glock for failing to respond to 3D printed MCDs. The lawsuit claimed that Glock refused to implement design changes that could prevent their use.
Now, the issue has reached the federal level.
On September 6, 2024, a meeting was organized by federal authorities, which included representatives from the 3D printing industry, academia, and law enforcement. The need for collaboration to prevent the illegal use of 3D printing technology to produce MCDs was emphasized. Authorities pointed out that while 3D printing brings many benefits, its misuse poses a significant threat.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the creation of a special task force, ANTI-MCD, aimed at intensifying the prosecution of MCD-related crimes and training officers to identify these devices. Additionally, the National MCD Training Initiative was launched to educate law enforcement on the rapidly changing designs of MCDs, particularly those shared in online 3D printing communities.
An example of the government’s success is the Switch Off project in Oklahoma City, which led to nearly 40 indictments in less than a year. Furthermore, authorities seized over 350 internet domains that were being used to illegally import MCDs and silencers from China.
Given the intensification of actions taken by the U.S. government, I argue that this issue is "very much developing." My experience suggests the following scenario:
One day, a shocking crime will occur using a firearm equipped with an MCD.
A media outlet will decide to base the story on the 3D printed components that “led to this death.”
A media frenzy will follow—“this ___ is to blame.”
Under public pressure, the government will take the simplest route—issue the appropriate bans and regulations.
You’ll see...
Atomic Layer from the Past:
09-15-2014: EOS & Cooksongold officially announced the launch of the PRECIOUS M 080 Jewelry DMLS 3D printer
Atomic News & Gossips:
10 years ago Cooksongold launched a 3D printer for precious metals with EOS, and now it is launching Cookson Industrial for precious metal AM.
Those interested in the future of Velo3D should carefully review the comments under my last article on LinkedIn. I am curious about if and how this will develop?
Check out this company and their technology. Worth following: https://duplex3d.com