The Era of the Open Source Gun

Nothing. This one has advertising.

It's a good demonstrator of an idea, but that's all.

I'd say it's more of a political statement than anything else at this point. Which doesn't mean it won't be effective in that role.

It's sad when opposing restrictions is considered "political".

Quoting:Nothing. This one has advertising.

It's a good demonstrator of an idea, but that's all.

Considering that a zip gun's barrel is usually metal pipe or tubing, the zip gun's barrel will last a lot longer than the one-shot throwaway extruded plastic barrel. I think this is just a "proof of concept", like you said. That, and getting the plans into the PD. The basic design can be improved, modified or redesigned. Who knows what materials tomorrow's 3D printers will be able to use?

There's a 2007 article about an engineer designing a 3D forms printer to be used for building fabricated house components. Now some Dutch architects are planning to build the first 3D printed house.

> Who knows what materials tomorrow's 3D printers will be able to use?

That will be the key, yes. Getting a wide variety of materials available and making them easy to use and mix as required.

There's already a laser-driven powdered titanium "printer" making aircraft parts. Been around for a couple years now.

And, of course, the government has taken the site down. :(

Not the article in question, but the site hosting the plans. Of course, Pirate Bay already has them.

> Considering that a zip gun's barrel is usually metal pipe or tubing,

The first pics I saw of this atrocity showed a metal tube in the barrel. This piece of junk is useless, the only reason for its existence is to get the creator some PR. Tribesmen in Afghanistan can cast a real working rifle from a hole in the ground. This poorly engineered toy is two steps backward.

> This piece of junk is useless,

As I said, it's a political statement. Which is why the government went after it.

Thus demonstrating the need for such a statement.

I seriously doubt the creator(s) possess(es) enough gray matter to form a political statement. Strictly an exercise in "Lookee me!!".

> I seriously doubt the creator(s) possess(es) enough gray matter to form a political statement.

We'll just have to disagree about that.