Gun Shy

Ray MartinChief Executive Officer, Americas
May 17, 2013, 5:36 PM GMT+0

3D printing is a relatively new technology that is now being used to manufacture guns. So how does it work? An object can be scanned or its design uploaded, then the 3D printer builds layer upon layer of plastic and 40 minutes later, it’s ready. This product has vast implications and it has sparked quite a controversy in current gun control debates.

In a recent Omnibus Survey, over half (54%) of the population thought it should be illegal for people to create their own guns using these 3D printers. Americans also thought that 3D guns were most likely to be used by criminals (54%), or people who would not be eligible to buy a gun (49%). 41% thought they would be used by the same people who use guns now.

Almost three quarters of Americans would not consider making their own gun using a 3D printer (72%). Opponents of the 3D gun say that the only purpose for this gun would be to slip it past security measures; however, various interest groups have defended these guns saying they are legitimately used for game hunting or marksmanship.

Should people have the freedom to create their own 3D guns?