“The Rise of 3D Printed Guns in the United States Goes Global”
In the United States, a small piece of 3D-printed plastic can transform a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machine gun. In other parts of the world, where obtaining weapons is more challenging, people are simply printing the entire gun in 3D.
## The Precedents
About four years ago, a German named Jacob Duygu designed a semi-automatic carbine using a computer and printed all the parts in 3D. He named it the “Fuck Gun Control 9” or FGC-9, as a response to the strict gun laws in Europe, and the gun fired 9mm bullets. Despite Duygu, known as JStark online, passing away, his weapons have spread across different regions. The FGC-9 has been found in the hands of paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, rebels in Myanmar, and neo-Nazis in Spain. Duygu’s aim was to ensure everyone had the option to access a weapon, leaving the usage up to individuals.
## The Problem Spreads
In the United States, it is easier to purchase a semi-automatic pistol and use a 3D printer to convert it into a fully automatic weapon. Recently, U.S. security agencies have highlighted a rise in the use of Machine Gun Conversion Devices (MCD) or “Glock switches” in gun crimes. These devices, which are small and inexpensive, are placed at the back of a semi-automatic pistol to discharge all bullets within seconds.
On September 6, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco addressed the issue of MCDs and emphasized the need for more efforts to remove them from the streets. She announced the establishment of the Department of Justice’s Anti-Machine Gun Conversion Device Action Network (ANTI-MCD) to combat the proliferation of MCDs. Monaco stressed the importance of engaging with software developers, technology experts, and leaders in the 3D printing industry to find solutions, while also raising public awareness about the dangers posed by MCDs.
