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[madscience]

This post is a follow-up to numerous arguments I've had recently in politicartoons. I've been ridiculed for saying that manufacturing sophisticated firearms is easily within the reach of the average garage hacker, and that gun control will only drive criminals to produce even deadlier and less traceable weapons

Comments

[the_rukh]

So this is like when that one guy was doing nuclear physics tests in his basement and it proved that everybody can easily do nuclear physics?

[madscience]

You mean that Boy Scout who built a breeder reactor in his mom's tool shed? Yeah. Except that you can go out and buy everything you need to do this for a few hundred bucks. Or if you're a little more of a DIYer, just download plans and make the tools yourself.

[the_rukh]

And just look at the thriving amateur nuclear research industry.

Come on now. Put two and two together.

[madscience]

Restrictions on research samples of nuclear materials were tightened after that kid pulled off his stunt. But as I noted, cheap CNC machines and 3D printers designed for home use are becoming more available. Machines that were once one-offs made from salvaged parts are now available as kits for around the price of the tax stamp on a suppressor.

Isn't the whole rationale for gun control the idea that the ready commercial availability of guns is to blame for gun crime? Put two and two together yourself.

[yes_justice]

Somehow, I sorta doubt the resistance secret weapon will be underground 3d printers.

[dv8nation]

Seriously. These ain't Star Trek repilcators.

[dwer]

yes, because the poor and downtrodden totally have access to these high-end printers, and the materials to put in them.

[madscience]

They do. CNC machines can be built from the stepper motors and control boards in scanners and inkjet printers, of which there are mountains just waiting to be recycled. Plans are available free online.

[dwer]

And very few people are interested in doing so.

[madscience]

Just as very few people are interested in producing illegal drugs. It only takes a few.

[yes_justice]

Hey mon, instead of making a gun, why not make some of that easy to produce LSD? You'd do a lot more good for humanity that way!

[geezer_also]

Meh, even if it's "that" easy, and I don't doubt it like so many of the nay-sayers; bombs are so much easier, and I got a copy of "The Anarchist's Cookbook" for only 50 cents

[madscience]

Bombs are cowardly and useless for self-defense. And most of what's in The Anarchist's Cookbook is bullshit that either won't do anything, or will likely kill you.

[the_rukh]

"cowardly" is that really a consideration in armed warfare to you?

[madscience]

It's definitely a consideration in asymmetric warfare.