Washington Washington lawmakers vote to outlaw guns created by 3D printer. Inslee expected to sign bill

RicInOR · Apr 29, 2019

Just based on comments -- what does an 80% gun have to do with 3d printing?

So would it be unlawful to sell a piece of steel to someone, if they said their intent was to build a gun from it?
(think straw purchase -v- requested gift)

awshoot · Apr 29, 2019

RicInOR said:
(A) Just based on comments -- what does an 80% gun have to do with 3d printing?

(B) So would it be unlawful to sell a piece of steel to someone, if they said their intent was to build a gun from it?
(think straw purchase -v- requested gift)

(A) nothing. The law however focuses on two aspects of DIY guns: whether they are undectable (this relates to printing in plastics) and whether they are untraceable (this relates to whether a Federally licensed manufacturer has affixed a serial number). Untraceable 80% firearms will still be legal to make IF you do not intend to sell them. Any firearm made as of July 1, 2019 or earlier, is by definition, not untraceable even if it doesn't have a serial number.

All undetectable guns are contraband (this is the arrow pointed at 3D printing) -- no grandfather clause (but they've also been illegal Federally for years). It is possible a firearm could be both undetectable and untraceable - for example, it may be that polymer builds do not xray well enough. In that case, the build would be illegal whenever it was made.

(B) You would be knowingly facilitating or aiding if anything you did helped a person make a firearm. If that person is a prohibited person and you know it, or, if you don't know it but don't do a background check, providing help would be a criminal act. Selling them materials would probably count as helping.

Spad · Apr 30, 2019

Bobby F and Jay are the usual greasy politicos who tilt at windmills depending on which way the wind is blowing, driving innovation out of the state and country so they can line their pockets with fat retirements and smile while they stab their countryman in the back. Greedy Bobby and Jay Ice Cream next,,, Spad

Makers Mark · May 1, 2019

So people finish one of these kits and they are of course not going to put a 'serial number' on them.
Are they putting some sort of identification symbol on them so that in the event of theft there might be some chance of getting them returned?

awshoot · May 7, 2019

Inslee signed HB 1739 today: Washington state governor signs bills tightening gun rules

The page for that bill hasn't been updated to reflect that status yet, but I don't doubt it.

Makers Mark · May 7, 2019

awshoot said:
Inslee signed HB 1739 today: Washington state governor signs bills tightening gun rules

The page for that bill hasn't been updated to reflect that status yet, but I don't doubt it.

Wheeew, finally. Now we all can feel safe.

surevaliance · May 7, 2019

It's not only 3D, but also all non-serialized (80%, etc.) firearms except relic ones.

awshoot · May 7, 2019

surevaliance said:
It's not only 3D, but also all non-serialized (80%, etc.) firearms except relic ones.

Not legal advice by my reading: Metalic self-made guns that you do not intend to sell are NOT defined as untraceable and are legal to build. In fact, if you are sure the material you use for some parts of the firearm will show its shape on airport xray machines (in other words, radio opaque polymer), and the firearm taken as a whole will set off a metal detector as well as 3.7 oz of stainless, that is NOT undetectable and would also be legal to build so long as it meets the untraceable rules (meaning, you don't intend to sell and thus also not untraceable).

The main problem will be 80% stuff as its sale could be interpreted as aiding, abetting, etc. and it is a crime to help a prohibited person make a gun. This might lead to BG checks on 80% stuff come July 1st. The one ray of sunshine in all this is that the law has the potential to spur more people to get into 0% builds which can only cause an increase in the sophistication and variety of homebuilt designs.