3D Printable Gun Plans Available For Download Aug. 1

Plans for 3D printable guns will soon be available for download after a court settlement between a gun rights activist and the federal government. While neither Wisconsin gun rights advocates or gun control advocates expect a flood of printed weapons in the state, there are still concerns.

At the end of June gun rights advocate Cody Wilson of Texas settled a lawsuit he filed against the federal government for blocking his online tutorials for making a 3D printable pistol. That means starting Aug. 1, anyone can download the plans.

But Dan Marcon of of Marc-On Shooting in Lake Hallie said he doesn’t expect many people to actually make the gun.

“Would I do it or know people in my circle that do it?” asked Marcon. “No, because you’re shooting an explosive cartridge out of a plastic item that you printed out. I would not try it out at all.”

Marcon said while some guns are made of special polymers, the plastic used in 3D printers isn’t likely as strong, which could be dangerous for those shooting them.

Anneliese Dickman is communications director for the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, a state-based gun control advocacy group. She said she doesn’t expect a flood of 3D printed guns either but she’s still alarmed that President Donald Trump’s administration settled the lawsuit.

“In terms of numbers of guns it’s probably not a big impact,” said Dickman. “What’s more concerning is that the administration, in settling the suit, has made it clear that they don’t feel it’s necessary for everybody who owns a firearm to pass a background check.”

The Wisconsin Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story.