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3D-Printed Handguns

The Liberator by Defense Distributed is Downloadable

— May 6, 2013 — Art & Design
Liberator by Defense Distributed is not only being touted as the world's first 3D printed handgun, it has now gone through a series of testing to show that it can function like the real thing as well. Documented by Forbes, the video of which was taken in the prairies of Texas, the controversial and questionable firearm was shot by Cody R. Wilson, the provocative founder of Defense Distributed himself.

Made out of 16 parts, 15 of which were fabricated with a Stratasys 3D printer and one non-functional metal piece that complies with the Undetectable Firearms Act, the blueprints for Liberator by Defense Distributed are now available online for download. Although putting more guns in the hands of Americans might not be a good thing, its creation is impressive.
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printed Firearms - Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the production of customizable, easily accessible firearms using 3D printing technology.
2. Digital Weapon Blueprints - Potential for disruptive innovation in the distribution and accessibility of weapon blueprints through online platforms.
3. Controversial Firearms Technology - Rapid development and adoption of unconventional firearms technologies that raise ethical and legal questions.
Industry Implications
1. Defense and Security - Opportunities for innovation in the defense and security sector to adapt to the challenges posed by 3D-printed firearms.
2. 3D Printing - Potential for disruptive innovation in the 3D printing industry with the increased demand for specialized firearm components.
3. Digital Publishing - Opportunities for innovation in online publishing platforms to address the distribution and regulation challenges of weapon blueprints.
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