ATF weighs in on 3-D printer guns

Don't gun manufacturers have to be licensed with the ATF?

Doesn't that mean that any firearm built by an unlicensed manufacturer, is an illegal gun?

I could see the ATF requiring that CAD files for 3D-printer guns will only be allowed to be distributed to licensed gun manufacturers. Someone distributing such a file to any entity without such license will be a felony.

An unlicensed manufacturer making such a gun will be a felony. Selling such a gun will be a felony.

Did you read the article?

It has always been legal for a person to build their own gun. Doing it for profit requires a license.

There are several forums dedicated to building personal firearms.

You can even build your own silencer/SBS/SBR legally with a Form One if your state allows it.

An unlicensed manufacturer making such a gun will be a felony. Selling such a gun will be a felony.

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Wrong again.

HotGuns said:

Did you read the article?

It has always been legal for a person to build their own gun. Doing it for profit requires a license.

There are several forums dedicated to building personal firearms.

You can even build your own silencer/SBS/SBR legally with a Form One if your state allows it.



Wrong again.

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Spot on!

you sound like the igjets that work for homeland security.

Doesn't that mean that any firearm built by an unlicensed manufacturer, is an illegal gun?

I could see the ATF requiring that CAD files for 3D-printer guns will only be allowed to be distributed to licensed gun manufacturers. Someone distributing such a file to any entity without such license will be a felony.

An unlicensed manufacturer making such a gun will be a felony. Selling such a gun will be a felony.

Click to expand...

I just don't see people running out to buy a 3D printer to make a gun when it is a lot cheaper to buy a factory gun.

Welcome to class Randalls.

There's nothing illegal about having blueprints for a 1911A why should having or distributing a cad file be illegal?

methinks control of information and how it's shared is the real fear

Randalls said:

Don't gun manufacturers have to be licensed with the ATF?

Doesn't that mean that any firearm built by an unlicensed manufacturer, is an illegal gun?

I could see the ATF requiring that CAD files for 3D-printer guns will only be allowed to be distributed to licensed gun manufacturers. Someone distributing such a file to any entity without such license will be a felony.

An unlicensed manufacturer making such a gun will be a felony. Selling such a gun will be a felony.

Click to expand...

According to your statement I read that to mean I could build my own weapon and as long as it was for my own personal use and I never sold it it would be Legal to possess.
Just the same as making Moonshine. So long as you drink all you make (up to 100 gallons a year) you're OKI DOKI. 100 gallons a year is too funny...I don't drink 100 gallons of micro brewed beer, regular beer, wine coolers, Yodka or 'shine in a year....Only the ATF would come up with a Ruling like This. Goobers All. HUA

Randalls said:

Don't gun manufacturers have to be licensed with the ATF?

Doesn't that mean that any firearm built by an unlicensed manufacturer, is an illegal gun?

I could see the ATF requiring that CAD files for 3D-printer guns will only be allowed to be distributed to licensed gun manufacturers. Someone distributing such a file to any entity without such license will be a felony.

An unlicensed manufacturer making such a gun will be a felony. Selling such a gun will be a felony.

Click to expand...

You really should do some research so you actually know your topic before making any comments. As already stated, you do not need a license to manufacture a firearm for personal use. But you did, purely by coincidence, get one thing right. A (lay)person who makes a firearm for personal use cannot turn around and sell it for a profit. For that, you do need a license.

Keep up the effort, Randalls. You're bound to get another one right sooner or later. After all, even a broken (analog) clock is correct twice a day.

The article says, "If an individual begins producing large quantities of 3-D printed guns... that person is 'engaged in the business' and must obtain a license."

While, "large quantities" is subjective, the statement clearly says that one must obtain a license for activity apart from selling. Maybe Dave can clarify what, in its present muddled communication is bad law as it has no common meaning. However, ATF is not respecting 2A with statements like the above.

HotGuns said:

...You can even build your own silencer/SBS/SBR legally with a Form One if your state allows it.

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A $4 oil filter is an inexpensive and simple start. Ooooops, going to have to pass a background check and show a NEED to change your oil before you can buy an oil filter now. No more buying oil filters at car shows.

I find it amusing all the talk in the media about this whole "3D Printer" garbage.....like Mills, and CNC machines, or files, Dremels, and sandpaper for that matter----never crossed their minds. Which of course, never did, because they come from a bunch that has never actually DONE anything in life, like build something in their shop out of a hunk of metal.

Of course regardless of the fact they may attempt to change the legality of building your own guns, in Kansas anyway, our legislature has decided as long as it never leaves the state, and does not enter interstate commerce, they better stay quiet.

Years ago I watched a news show depicting Pakistanis casting, filing, and assembling a broomhandle Mauser clone.......in a shack/dugout...........us Country boys have better shops than they did.

BugDude said:

A $4 oil filter is an inexpensive and simple start. Ooooops, going to have to pass a background check and show a NEED to change your oil before you can buy an oil filter now. No more buying oil filters at car shows.

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I know you are joking, but don't think the Treehuggers wouldn't be up for that----to make sure the used oil was disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner! Jeeeesh they're crazy ya know!

Pistology said:

The article says, "If an individual begins producing large quantities of 3-D printed guns... that person is 'engaged in the business' and must obtain a license."

While, "large quantities" is subjective, the statement clearly says that one must obtain a license for activity apart from selling. Maybe Dave can clarify what, in its present muddled communication is bad law as it has no common meaning. However, ATF is not respecting 2A with statements like the above.

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As with illegal drugs, if you are in possession of a large quantity of homemade firearms, the gov't is assuming that they are not simply for personal use. This of course depends on the definition of a "large quantity." If it can be determined that someone is making firearms with the intent of selling them, they will need a license. However, as you said, it is all a bit muddled.

I'm not joking about the effectiveness of a $4 oil filter for the stated purpose. Look it up on youtube.

Randalls said:

Don't gun manufacturers have to be licensed with the ATF?

Doesn't that mean that any firearm built by an unlicensed manufacturer, is an illegal gun?

I could see the ATF requiring that CAD files for 3D-printer guns will only be allowed to be distributed to licensed gun manufacturers. Someone distributing such a file to any entity without such license will be a felony.

An unlicensed manufacturer making such a gun will be a felony. Selling such a gun will be a felony.

Click to expand...

No. You can build your own AR or AK from scratch, and as long as you remain the sole owner of the firearm, don't make it for someone else, and don't sell it, and it remains within your state of residence's borders, it is perfectly legal, and doesn't need any sort of registration. This is why 80% AR lowers are in such demand. You can make unregistered, unserialized ARs, and you needn't tell anyone about owning it.

BugDude said:

A $4 oil filter is an inexpensive and simple start. Ooooops, going to have to pass a background check and show a NEED to change your oil before you can buy an oil filter now. No more buying oil filters at car shows.

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Another option is a pillow :wink:

It is perfectly legal for someone to make a firearm for themself. Its the moment they try to sell them that it becomes illegal. I personally wouldn't trust a gun made from plastic...maybe that's just me.

squid86 said:

Another option is a pillow :wink:

It is perfectly legal for someone to make a firearm for themself. Its the moment they try to sell them that it becomes illegal. I personally wouldn't trust a gun made from plastic...maybe that's just me.

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I believe the law actually says, they cannot manufacture with the intent to sell. I am not 100% sure, but I THINK it does not prohibit the sale of such firearms. Grey area I know, but I suppose the time it was possessed would be a factor.