New York Democratic Congressman Steve Israel hopes to federally outlaw 3D-printed guns and magazines this December, when the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 expires and goes up for renewal. The act, which outlaws the manufacture, sale, and possession of plastic guns that could pass through x-rays and metal detectors without setting them off, does not currently cover 3D-printed weapons. Israel proposed the 3D-printed gun ban last month, but added a specific clause for magazines this week.
Pointing specifically to upstart manufacturer Defense Distributed–profiled by ANIMAL in November–Israel outlined his reasoning for the proposal to Forbes. “You press a button and manufacture a product. That’s not science fiction any more,” the congressman said. “It’s real. As we get deeper into this national debate on gun safety it seems to me all the executive orders, all the acts of Congress will not be effective if someone can go to a Staples, buy a 3D printer, and manufacture plastic weapons components in their basements.”
(Photo: Pete Prodoehl/Flickr)
