By now, you have probably heard about so-called, "ghost guns, " which are guns without serial numbers. According to Google Trends, searches for the term, "ghost gun," peaked in the United States in November 2013, shortly after Cody Wilson and his company, Defense Distributed, released the plans for the first completely 3D printable firearm in May of the same year.
Since then, many advances have been made in the technology. For example, one pseudonymous designer from Deterrence Dispensed, Ivan The Troll, developed a system of making rifled barrels without the use of large and expensive tools like lathes. The barrel-making method - which uses electrochemical machining (ECM) - requires only a few 3D printed tools, a water pump, some salt water, copper wire, and a steel pipe.
While homemade firearms are not new, the information age has enabled teams of engineers and enthusiasts all over the world to work together to design new, better, and more accessible firearms. 2021 was an especially exciting year for 3D defense technology.
Technology
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Culture
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Law
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