Five reasons Forbes is wrong on 3D printed guns

Fisking Nigam Arora’s article, “Five Reasons Gunmakers Have Nothing To Fear From 3D Printed Guns“:

Regulation: It would seem that it would be difficult for the government to regulate 3D printed guns in the same way as traditional guns … The government may choose to act smarter and instead of regulating the printing of guns, it may simply regulate the sale of 3D printers.  All 3D printers are run by software.  The government may simply insist that 3D printer manufacturers install software that prevents printing of a hollow cylinder of a certain size, a firing pin, or a certain type of spring.

Additive manufacturing is a big deal and offers so much potential that stiffing the technology isn’t going to happen.  Any sort of DRM-type controls should work just as well as they have with movies, music, software, etc.

Reliability: 3D printers typically use plastics … There are higher end materials that can handle more heat but they are more expensive … The ability to print guns with reliability on par with conventionally manufactured guns at a competitive price is far, far away.

Really?  Cell phones have been around for 40 years and the first one cost $3995.  What do they cost now?

Accuracy: Making a rudimentary gun is relatively easy, but making a gun that fires accurately is not that simple. In my review, the prospects for manufacturing guns using inexpensive 3D printers and materials with the same accuracy as that of traditional guns in the near future are poor.

What about in 5 years?  10 years?  How long did it take for the personal computer to become ubiquitous?

Cost: For a law-abiding citizen, who does not mind registering his gun(s), 3D printed guns are not likely to be cost competitive for a long time to come.

Really?  Defense Distributed made their first gun on a second-hand $8000 printer earlier this month.  A couple weeks later someone else made an improved version on a ~$1800 printer.  How long until someone has a go on the $999 printer?  How about the $399 model?

Also, who seriously believes people are going to register them?

Tradition: In my experience, gun enthusiasts tend to be traditionalists. They like their guns not only because they are weapons but also for their craftsmanship, aesthetics and heritage. Can you see a gun enthusiast proudly displaying a plastic gun that looks like it is made of Legos next to his prized possessions in his gun rack?

Tradition is important.  That is why Colt still makes Peacemakers.  That hasn’t stopped other manufacturers from making affordable, quality replicas with modern manufacturing techniques.  It will be the same with printed guns.