3D printers are becoming easier and cheaper to produce and own, making it the new household item.
Companies in America like MakerBot sell desktop models for around $2,200.
With such conveniences at more people’s use, there is a concern that a printer will be used for printing off guns and other weapons.
Earlier this year the open-source group Defense Distributed had developed a fully printable firearm.
The low receiver AR-15 rifle fired off six rounds as controlled by the American Gun Control Act.
The rifle did not last, falling apart straight after.
This progress came after one of its suppliers, Stratasys, confiscated the 3D printer to prevent it being used for illegal purposes.
While 3D printing being made accessible to everyone can be called the start of another industrial revolution, it comes with risks attached.
The danger is that it will be used for more dangerous purposes.
Defense Distributed asked on its website:
“How do governments behave if they must one day operate on the assumption that any and every citizen has near instant access to a firearm through the Internet?”