Undetectable 3D-Printed Plastic Guns: Potential Recipe for Disaster

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following news release:

U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) reacted to efforts by The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and other gun safety groups to stop a Trump Administration-approved agreement for the publication next week of blueprints for undetectable 3D-printed guns:

"Permitting unlimited access to undetectable guns offers a potential recipe for disaster. The stated intent of the founder of Austin-based Defense Distributed is to destroy the gun safety movement being led by our students and their allies. While the reliability and cost of printing current designs may be questionable, undetectable, 3D-printed plastic guns could destroy many lives. These weapons could be carried into an airplane, a courthouse, a school or anywhere else without detection by screening devices. This serious danger to our safety results from recent Trump Administration action that will permit instructions for making these plastic guns available next Wednesday, August 1.

In suddenly reversing its interpretation of the International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Trump State Department apparently relied upon a recent Trump directive: 'Control of Firearms, Guns, Ammunition and Related Articles the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List (USML).' The Trump Administration agreement with the company promoting these plastic guns apparently occurred with no public hearing and no prior notice to gun safety groups. I applaud the efforts of gun safety groups to protect our families."