State Department (orders) takes down blueprints for 3D-printable handgun

[Tx4obama]

State Department takes down blueprints for 3D-printable handgun

The State Department on Thursday ordered the nonprofit Defense Distributed to remove blueprints for the world’s first 3D-printed gun from its website.

“All such data should be removed from public access, the letter says. That might be an impossible standard. But we’ll do our part to remove it from our servers,” Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson told Forbes.

The department’s Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance warned Wilson that posting the materials online could be a violation of export controls. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) prohibits weapons manufactures from exporting technical data to foreign persons without authorization from the State Department.

“This means that all such data should be removed from public access immediately,” the Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance said.

-snip-

Full article here: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/09/state-department-takes-down-blueprints-for-3d-printable-handgun/

But the Genie is already out of the bottle...

3D-Printed Gun's Blueprints Downloaded 100,000 Times In Two Days

DU thread here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022816834

[Newest Reality]

1. Seems like they

don't really have a clue at the State Department.

Or is this just posturing and PR? They really didn't believe that this would make the plans unavailable, did they? In a way, they are actually pushing it to prominence and getting alternatives to kick-in.

[eShirl]

3. It's not just posturing and PR...

It's also CYA ("cover your ass&quot .

[Travis_0004]

2. How is this not a violation of the 1st amendment?

I can assume the ACLU will be on this very shortly.

(yes that was sarcasm).

[TampaAnimusVortex]

4. Someone doesnt understand how the internet works apparently...

Exactly what will they do when the file get posted on a web server in Iran, Russia, or any other number of places that could care less about their opinion on 3D printed weapons?

Pointless.

[hobbit709]

5. They just guaranteed it will be even more downloaded.

[Logical]

6. Love or Hate guns I am not sure this is a good thing. Trying to control what is posted. n-t

[actslikeacarrot]

7. Hell,.....

...it is already on the Torrent sites.

[X_Digger]

8. Quick, stuff the toothpaste back in the tube! n/t

[justanidea]

9. So I guess an ebook on guns/bombs

Would also be considered international arms trafficking?

This seems like a 1st amendment lawsuit just waiting to happen.