3D Printed Guns Topic of Bulletin from Homeland Security to Law Enforcement

3D Printed Guns Topic of Bulletin from Homeland Security to Law Enforcement

Well, looks like 3D printed guns are making the headlines again. This time, even the Department of Homeland Security seems hopeless when it comes to preventing 3D printed guns from being made, not to mention making it past security checkpoints. The department fears that 3D printed gun control efforts will be useless should their manufacture become more widespread, making it “impossible” to stop or even control.

A couple of days ago, a department-distributed bulletin arrived at state and federal law enforcement agencies, stating that 3D printed guns “poses public safety risks” and are likely beyond the current reach of regulators and regulations.

According to one law enforcement source, “The only security procedure to catch [3D printed guns] is a pat down,” since magnetometers could fail to detect them.

3D Printed Guns Topic of Bulletin from Homeland Security to Law EnforcementThe bulletin specifically honed in on a nonprofit company, Defense Distributed, started by University of Texas law student, Cody Wilson, who has not only successfully printed a 3D gun, which he nicknamed “The Liberator,” but fired it as well. And, of course, Wilson felt the need to share, so plans for how to make “The Liberator” were available for free download, until the U.S. State Department told the organization to stop sharing the file, but only after the plans were downloaded approximately 100,000 times.

Containing phrases like “poses public safety risks” and “limiting access may be impossible,” neither of which sound too confident, the bulletin mentions the following concerns:

  • Though prohibited by law, the metal insert may be deliberately omitted;
  • Future designs could entirely eliminate metal components;
  • 3D guns can be made without serial numbers, which hinders ballistic testing; and
  • Improvements in technology leading to cheaper 3D printers could make printed guns easier to acquire.

Plus, even if there is legislation in place that bans 3D printed guns, online distribution of digital files is difficult to control. Think about illegally traded music, movies and software.

So, my fellow Americans, I pose this question: “are we ready for pat downs?”

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/23/govt-memo-warns-3d-printed-guns-may-be-impossible-to-stop/

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”