Federal judge blocks 3D-printed guns from going online
Jul 31, 2018, 5:23 PM | Updated: 5:34 pm
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., left, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Ct., display a photo of a plastic gun on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Matthew Daly)
(AP Photo/Matthew Daly)
A federal judge in Seattle struck a blow to so called ghost guns Tuesday. Blueprints for the 3D-printed guns are barred from being published online — for now.
RELATED: AG Ferguson files lawsuit over ghost guns
U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik issued a temporary restraining order that blocks a Texas company from publishing online blueprints for 3D-printed plastic guns. The guns are commonly referred to as “ghost guns” and cannot be traced.
“I am thankful and relieved Judge Lasnik put a nationwide stop to the Trump Administration’s dangerous decision to allow downloadable, 3D-printed ghost guns to be distributed online,” Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “These ghost guns are untraceable, virtually undetectable and, without today’s victory, available to any felon, domestic abuser or terrorist. I hope the president does the right thing and directs his administration to change course.”
The Trump administration issued a decision in June that allows for the online publishing of instructions for 3D-printed guns. Anyone with access to 3D printing technology could make untraceable firearms with the information.
Ferguson sued the administration over the decision Monday, prompting Judge Lasnik’s restraining order Tuesday. It is a multi-state lawsuit that Washington is leading.
“Once again, my office had to hold this administration accountable to the rule of law,” Ferguson said.
Following the judge’s restraining order, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan commented on the decision.
“Creating an unlicensed gun with a 3D printer should not be a ‘do-it-yourself’ download available to anyone,” Durkan said. “As a former federal prosecutor, I know untraceable and unregulated 3D-printed guns present a real danger to the residents of Seattle. Because of Attorney General Ferguson’s lawsuit, a federal judge has put this administration’s dangerous plan on hold and has taken a responsible step to protect law enforcement, public safety, and our national security.”
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