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Proposed Regulation Could Keep 3D-printed Gun Blueprints Offline For Good

Posted by Soulskill on from the at-least-from-people-who-obey-the-law dept.

SonicSpike sends a report on a proposed update to the International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) regulations which could shut down the sharing of files for 3D printed gun parts over the internet. "Hidden within the proposal, which restricts what gear, technology, and info can and cannot be exported out of the U.S., is a ban on posting schematics for 3D printed gun parts online." This follows a lawsuit from Cody Wilson and Defense Distributed back in May fighting the federal government's command to remove blueprints for the "Liberator" 3D-printed gun from their website. A senior official at the U.S. State Department said, "By putting up a digital file, that constitutes an export of the data. If it's an executable digital file, any foreign interests can get a hold of it."

4 of 423 comments (clear)

  1. It stopped piracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Making it illegal to transmit data put an immediate end to software piracy. I don't see why it can't work here as well.

  2. Oh, OK great!! by Sand_Man · · Score: 3, Funny

    That should take care of it once and for all then. Glad that's resolved. (insert obligatory face-palm here)

  3. Re:compensating? by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, the people receiving those billions of dollars won't find the regulations so useless then, will they?

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  4. Re:It's been an hour by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Funny

    Doesn't work with non metal parts...

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”