The most worrying illegal use of 3D printers is the production of untraceable firearms and explosives that pose a serious threat to public safety and national security. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that allows users to create physical objects from digital models by depositing layers of material on top of each other. While 3D printing has many legitimate and beneficial applications, such as in medicine, education, art, and engineering, it also opens the door for criminal and terrorist activities that are hard to detect and prevent.
3D printers can be used to make various types of illegal weapons, such as knives, brass knuckles, and even grenades. However, the most alarming and controversial use of 3D printers is the fabrication of firearms and explosives. 3D-printed guns are typically made of plastic or metal, and can be assembled from multiple parts that are printed separately. Some 3D-printed guns are designed to fire conventional bullets, while others use homemade ammunition or propellants. 3D-printed explosives are also possible, as some materials that can be used for 3D printing, such as acetone, nitric acid, and glycerol, are also ingredients for making explosives.
The main advantage of 3D-printed weapons is that they are untraceable, meaning that they do not have serial numbers, markings, or other identifiers that can link them to their makers or owners. This makes them ideal for criminals and terrorists who want to avoid detection and accountability. Moreover, 3D-printed weapons are easy to obtain, as anyone with access to a 3D printer, a computer, and an internet connection can download the digital files and instructions for making them. Some of these files are freely available online, such as the Liberator, the first 3D-printed handgun that was created by Cody Wilson, a self-proclaimed anarchist and founder of Defense Distributed, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the right to bear arms.
What are the risks and challenges of 3D-printed weapons?
3D-printed weapons pose a serious risk to public safety and national security, as they can be used to commit crimes, acts of violence, and acts of terrorism. For example, in 2013, a man in Japan was arrested for possessing five 3D-printed guns, two of which were capable of firing bullets. In 2016, a gunman in Germany used a 3D-printed gun to kill nine people and injure 36 others in a shooting spree. In 2018, a man in Texas was arrested for attempting to use a 3D-printed bomb to blow up a Confederate statue. In 2019, a neo-Nazi group in the UK was found to have 3D-printed guns and explosives in their possession.
One of the main challenges of 3D-printed weapons is the lack of regulation and enforcement. Currently, there is no clear and consistent legal framework that governs the use of 3D printers and the distribution of 3D-printed weapon files. Different countries and states have different laws and policies regarding 3D-printed weapons, ranging from outright bans to lax oversight. For instance, in the US, the federal law prohibits the manufacture of undetectable firearms, but does not explicitly address 3D-printed weapons. In 2018, the US government reached a settlement with Defense Distributed, allowing the organization to publish its 3D-printed gun files online, but the decision was later blocked by a federal judge. In 2020, the Trump administration proposed a rule change that would transfer the authority over 3D-printed gun files from the State Department to the Commerce Department, which would effectively loosen the export controls and make it easier for foreign entities to access them.
Another challenge of 3D-printed weapons is the difficulty of detection and prevention. 3D-printed weapons are hard to spot and trace, as they can evade metal detectors, x-ray scanners, and ballistic tests. They can also be easily concealed, transported, and disposed of. Furthermore, 3D-printed weapons are hard to stop, as they can be rapidly produced, modified, and replicated. As 3D printing technology becomes more advanced, accessible, and affordable, the quality and quantity of 3D-printed weapons are likely to increase, making them more reliable, lethal, and diverse.
How can we address the problem of 3D-printed weapons?
The problem of 3D-printed weapons is complex and multifaceted, and requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach from various stakeholders, such as governments, law enforcement agencies, manufacturers, researchers, and civil society. Some of the possible solutions and strategies are:
Developing and implementing clear and consistent laws and regulations that prohibit the production, possession, and distribution of 3D-printed weapons, and that impose strict penalties for violators.
Enhancing the detection and prevention capabilities of security and intelligence agencies, such as by developing new technologies and methods that can identify and track 3D-printed weapons and their makers and users.
Promoting the responsible and ethical use of 3D printing technology, such as by establishing standards and guidelines for manufacturers, users, and educators, and by raising awareness and education among the public about the risks and consequences of 3D-printed weapons.
Fostering cooperation and collaboration among different actors and sectors, such as by sharing information and best practices, conducting joint research and innovation, and engaging in dialogue and consultation.
3D printing is a powerful and promising technology that has the potential to transform various industries and domains. However, it also poses a serious threat to public safety and national security, as it can be used to create untraceable and undetectable weapons that can be used for criminal and terrorist purposes. Therefore, it is imperative that we address the problem of 3D-printed weapons, and ensure that 3D printing is used for good, not evil.
