3D Gun Blew Up in the Face of Feds

3D Gun Blew Up in the Face of Feds (Video)

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Nov 15, 2013

Remember good ‘ol Texan Cody Wilson and the whole 3D gun debacle we discussed back in May? Well, it’s making the news again, only this time it blew up right in the face of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Taking the online, 3D gun (aka The Liberator) blueprints that were available for free download and a 3D printer, ATF produced their own version of the Liberator.

“We downloaded files; we created firearms from those files; and we tested those firearms,” said Earl Griffith, chief of ATF firearms technology branch.

Discovering that the 3D gun wasn’t as powerful as other guns, ATF determined that it could, in fact, penetrate several inches of soft flesh and a human skull. Even though the Liberator can only fire one shot before needing to be reloaded, that’s all a determined “bad guy” needs to wreak havoc.

“The bottom line is, the penetration results demonstrated that the Liberator is a lethal weapon,” explained Griffith. “The .380 bullets fired from the Liberator penetrate sufficiently to reach vital organs and perforate the skull.”

It appears that in the hands of the wrong individual, even plastic guns can kill, and the ATF feels that we will see other 3D gun models in the future.

A huge concern is that the Liberator can defeat metal detection, enabling it to be carried into places and areas that weapons are banned. Yet, the design of the Liberator is perfectly legal under the Undetectable Firearms Act because it has a block of metal. According to this act, as long as a weapon consists of a certain amount of metal and that metal is detectable, it is legal. However, the metal plays no role in the Liberator’s ability to function and can be easily removed.

What to Know about ATF’s Testing

  • This 3D gun was made from a 3D printer and free, online blueprints.
  • ATF used acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic material and some plastic made by Visijet.
  • The Visijet version exploded during the test.
  • This 3D gun can get past metal detectors.
  • This 3D gun can penetrate soft flesh and the human skull.

Conclusion: This 3D gun qualifies as a deadly weapon.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.