3D printed gun blueprints allowed to go online

For years the State Department had been fighting back a lawsuit from an online company that was forced to take down a downloadable gun blueprint because the post was a violation of the international traffic in arms regulations. But starting August 1, anyone with internet and a 3D printer will be able to make an untraceable handgun, rifle or assault weapon.

The State Department has decided to allow a private company to post gun blueprints on-line for anyone to access.

Austin-based company called Defense Distributed plans to launch an online database on August 1st of downloadable blueprints for a wide variety of guns that can be 3D-printed.

Lt. Lee Rogers with the Austin Police Department says, “this is something new, this is something that hasn't really been out for that long so I'm not really sure what a 3d printed firearm is going to look like so I don't know what it's going to anticipate."

APD says if someone is prohibited from possessing a 3D firearm or regular ones then their department will handle it like how they have been doing.

Michael Cargill the owner of Central Texas Gun Works says people visiting from other states have asked him about how to build their own gun. He says he was already on the phone talking with someone on how to get the material in to be able to build a 3D printer.

“This is America, it's about the constitution, liberty and freedom. You're talking hours to be able to build something like that. It's not the ideal firearm, the liberator, but it is something that you can do at home,” Cargill says.

Representative Lloyd Doggett released a statement saying:

A person from the board of directors from Texas Gun Works tells FOX 7 Austin, “this is something that may not be able to be stopped. Just because you have the right to, doesn't mean you should do it. This will make the world a dangerous place."