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(3D printed) guns don't kill people...

A few weeks ago we saw the first successful firing of a pistol made entirely from 3D printed parts (firing pin excepted).

As expected, this caused cries of outrage from those who felt that the doors to hell had been opened by this feat and that soon, every man and his dog would be walking the streets with these things.

Of course, as was pointed out by the rest of us, these guns are pretty crap and a much better weapon could be built in any school metalwork classroom using a tired old Myford lathe and some scrap steel.

In fact, I would wager that there are a damned sight more lathes in this country than 3D printers -- should we be worried?

But then, today, more news to create anxiety within the ranks of those who fear the 3D printed gun.

Apparently, someone has successfully made bullets using a 3D printer.

Oh my gawd!

Yes, now you can not only print your gun but also print your ammo.

I can see the dim-witted politicians and idiots out there demanding that these evil baby-killing 3D printers be banned immediately.

Hell, if they're not printing illegal drugs then they'll be printing nasty guns and bullets -- right?

Sigh!

Well again, the devil is in the detail.

This printed projectile wasn't much more than some buckshot surrounded by printed plastic - hardly the type of thing that will change the face of the gun industry or pose a threat to public safety. Indeed, far better bullets can be made using a pot on the kitchen stove and some old tyre weights in conjunction with a basic bullet mold.

I'm seriously thinking of knocking up a simple "gun" in the workshop, using just some hand-tools that *anyone* would find in their own garage. A hacksaw, drill and file are about all it takes to do this.

Of course I won't be firing mine (wouldn't want to break the law you know) but it would perhaps be an eye-opener to many of those who are presently very concerned at the proliferation of 3D printers and plans for "real guns".

On second thoughts -- I have no doubt that I would be roundly pilloried for daring to show people how to build a gun at home and I dare say I'd be searched, surveilled and possibly even arrested under the anti-terror laws we now have in this country.

No, far better that I keep working on my rail gun which, according to the laws of the land, isn't a gun at all and doesn't even need bullets as such -- simply some short lengths of steel rod cut to length.

But remember -- guns don't kill people -- sometimes idiots, politicians and bureaucrats kill people through their ineptness and selfishness.

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