Dangers of 3D Printed Guns?

[Brian_Krassenstein]

This will likely be a debate which will drag on for quite a while. We all know that Cody Wilson's Liberator 3D printed hand gun has received a lot of media attention, and debate. Recently several government groups around the world have warned that the 3D printed gun is more danergous to those shooting it than to those who could be shot. Cody Wilson, the creator of the Liberator disagrees however, stating that the guns used in tests by authorities were not constructed properly. What do you guys think? Who is in more danger? Read the article here: http://3dprint.com/4931/3d-printed-guns-danger-shooter/

Here is a brief video of one of these 3D printed gun tests:
http://3dprint.com/?p=4931&preview=true

[JRDM]

That's really the opposite conclusion I'd expect of governments to rig the experiments. I'd expect them to show they're totally dangerous threat to everyone, and use that danger to push for unnecessary legislation to get more sweeping powers.

[Have Blue]

It's pretty clear that the Liberator in that particular test was not printed properly - the image at http://3dprint.com/wp-content/upload...er-picture.jpg shows a great deal of porosity in the barrel, so it's of no surprise that it failed. Additionally, the video noted that the .380ACP ammunition that the Liberator is designed to use is not available in the UK, which indicates that they probably used the much higher pressure 9mm round.

I and another engineer did our own test of the Liberator shortly after the design was released last year - details are here: http://haveblue.org/?p=1631

[WildZBill]

Plastic guns represent danger only to the rich and powerful of the world, and idiots that don't follow instructions.
If someone builds a plastic gun, they will not be using it to hunt squirrels. They will be trying to get past the expensive security around certain people. Disruptive.

[Feign]

And yet the dangers of a pipe, block and nail are never talked about. It's like all these politicians want these improvised zip guns to flood the street. People have found pipes, nails and wood in numerous "gun-free zones", even close to important people with fame and money, even in our churches and schools! Think of the children!

[Geoff]

As a kid we made weapons out of anything and everything, and nearly blew our heads off in the process, no 3D printer required.

[RedSox2013]

Here is an article about the 5 different gun models which have been successfully fired in the last 17 months:
http://3dprint.com/14636/3d-prnted-guns/