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3D-printed guns, like the one Luigi Mangione allegedly used, are a growing threat (techxplore.com)

submitted 3 days ago by lemmydev2@infosec.pub to c/pulse_of_truth@infosec.pub

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Police investigating the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, have announced that the suspected assailant had used a 3D-printed gun. Several high-profile crimes in recent years have involved this kind of homemade, or partially homemade, weapon.

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[–] SelfProgrammed@lemmy.today 8 points 3 days ago (3 children)

My best guess is the materials. Last I looked into them they were entirely 3D printed except for a roofing nail to act as the firing pin. The drastic reduction in metal makes them easier to sneak passed metal detectors. Other than that, you seem right on the nose.

[–] MinorLaceration@lemmy.world 9 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I've come across some 3d printed gun content over the last couple weeks (who knows why) and while mostly plastic designs like the liberator exist, most of the development in that area seems to use a lot of metal parts. Generally they're using metal barrels and actions with 3d printed stocks and frames.

[–] FireTower@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

(who knows why)

The algorithm is foreshadowing /s

This is accurate I'd add there's a distinction to be made between designs that use parts intended as firearms parts (e.g. Glock 19 barrel) and those that use only off the shelf repurposed hardware parts (e.g. ordinary pipe that has been given rifling via electro-chemical machining).

[–] Raiderkev@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

That was like the very first 3d printed gun. The ones that you can make now are pretty wild. This doc is 3 years old now, and well, advancements have been made.

https://youtu.be/C4dBuPJ9p7A

[–] SqueakySpider@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 3 days ago

That was an interesting video, thanks

[+] givesomefucks@lemmy.world -17 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What are you even talking about?

[–] SelfProgrammed@lemmy.today 10 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

Read it again, but slower.

3D printed ghost guns are easier to get past metal detectors.

[–] pimento64@sopuli.xyz -4 points 3 days ago

But what is a passed metal detector, and how does a plastic pipe gun get one?🤔

[+] givesomefucks@lemmy.world -8 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

It's not the reading speed that's an issue...

Last I looked into them they were entirely 3D printed except for a roofing nail to act as the firing pin. The drastic reduction in metal makes them easier to sneak passed metal detectors.

When did you last "look into them" where plastic barrels were a thing?

Like, there's a bunch more that's wrong with your statement, I have no interest in trying to help you understand.

I just want to know where you heard such ridiculous busllshit.

[–] SelfProgrammed@lemmy.today 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

About 2016: https://all3dp.com/songbird-new-3d-printed-gun/

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I'm sorry, but they're right (and also a dick) - the songbird uses metal barrel liners for it's swappable barrel unit block thingies (I have no idea what the technical term for those is. Bullet pods? idk.). The pure nylon ones used .22 cartridges (this was the pre-liner phase of the design) and had a 50/50 chance of just exploding in your hand. Afaik the designer never even released the files for them due to how unsafe they were.

What most 3D printed guns are these days is little more than a really fancy custom grip for an existing model of firearm. Glock uppers are super commonly used and are just fitted on top of the nylon components - these components are also glass-fiber reinforced nylon (or other high strength plastic) on the production handguns, meaning there's no change in the metal-detectability of the gun. (edit: this is the type of 3D printed gun that Luigi used)

The fear of something like the songbird being used to circumvent a metal detector is a worthy concern, but please keep in mind that you can build an equivalent weapon with ducktape and a metal bodied ballpoint pen, or damn near anything else. If you're curious, look up 'zip guns' for many examples of humanity's ingenuity with finding ways to kill each other.