this post was submitted on 07 Jul 2026
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I'm no gun person, but you could easily make a gun on a lathe or a mill drill, too. Get a CNC one and you don't even need to know how to use them.
Are we going to start fitting them with "you might be making a gun" detectors, too? Of course not.
Edit: Turns out they are... I choose to blame my ignorance on the paywall.
You absolutely need to know how to use any machine tool. You can't just download a file to a CNC mill and have it spit out a gun. I worked as a machinist when I was in college, it takes a lot of skill and talent to setup a CNC to make parts.
You can't load a file on a 3d printer and print a gun either...
On top of that, making a firearm is %100 legal.
Yes it is 100% legal, I've done it myself. And there are actually single shot pistols you can download and print.
I'm not in anyway in favor of the legislation, just pointing out that machining a functioning anything isn't as easy as you said.
It's not 100% legal in some places. Know your local laws!
Even in NY it is %100 legal still, you have to print it with a serial and you must be licensed by the state to make a firearm (FFL or gunsmith).
Those still require metal parts. No plastic is going to have enough strength to be used as a firing pin.
Not in California ever since they passed that bill that requires a DOJ-issued serial number on your home made firearm.
Nope, you can still make up to 3 firearms a year in California without a FFL license.
consumer-alert.pdf https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/consumer-alert.pdf
Without a license but with requirements to register a serial number.
Which is required on a metal plate embedded in the receiver. So really stops 3d printed polymer receivers, only cnc milled metal ones will do.