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DOJ will soon allow people to post blueprints, instructions on how to make 3D guns

WASHINGTON — In just a matter of days, anyone with the right kind of printer and internet access will be able to build their own gun at home.

Democrats on Capitol Hill are scrambling to stop this, but they only have a few days to do it.

Their fear is that someone with a plastic gun could easily sneak that weapon through security checkpoints.

A 3D printer can be used to build a gun made entirely of plastic.

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On Aug. 1, the blueprints could be available online.

That would mean more access to guns in general, but Sen. Bill Nelson's concern is Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, schools and any place that relies on a metal detector to help keep guns out.

"It goes without saying that the metal detectors can't detect plastic, which means a person concealing a deadly weapon could sail through security screenings without setting any alerts off," Nelson said.

For years, the Department of State prevented anyone from posting blueprints for firearms or bombs online.

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But Attorney General Jeff Sessions said plastic guns aren't bombs so they shouldn't be similarly regulated.

Those with the Cato Institute don't believe the availability of the blueprints poses any real threat.

"Homemade guns have not been showing up in crimes forever and having a single-shot plastic pistol is not going to become a gun used by gangsters on the street at all," said Trevor Burrus, a research fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies.

Democrats are working on new legislation to restrict people from publishing gun-making blueprints online.

 

Cox Media Group

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