Disarmament Commission Measures to Regulate the Production of 3D Printed Firearms. President of Disarmament Commission

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1 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 1 FORUM: ISSUE: STUDENT OFFICER: POSITION: Disarmament Commission Measures to Regulate the Production of 3D Printed Firearms Paula (Ji Won) Kim President of Disarmament Commission Introduction Technology has gone through a dramatic change in the modern times: people are now able to utilize the 3D printing technology to create almost everything, ranging from the daily utensils to firearms. As firearms are directly related to the lives of the people, the society needs meticulous regulations in controlling the creation of the weapons, A specific part of a firearm is being manufactured with a 3D printer. as the 3D technology enables people to produce firearms easily once they own a 3D printer and the digital manufacturing plans. Yet, because the technology has only been developed recently, there are not many regulations enforced specifically to prevent the upcoming chaos that could result from easier access to firearms. The crimes that involve the use of firearms created through 3D printing technology are expected to greatly threaten the international security once the 3D printing firearms become prevalent, for people will be able to access dangerous weapons in ease. Firearms might be ubiquitous not only in countries where firearms are legal for regular people but also in countries where they are banned by law, only if people do not interfere in the progress of 3D printing firearms. Therefore, it is important to prevent any possible harm that the 3D printed firearms can bring before it affects the lives of the innocent people. Background Although 3D printing technology has been developing for around 30 years since its invention, creating firearms that actually works properly is more of a recent progress. The first

2 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 2 creation of the firearm using a 3D printer was in May 2013, when a law student in Texas named Cody Wilson created a firearm entitled The Liberator by cooperating with his company Defense Distributed. As a student with no background knowledge considering the 3D printing technology, Wilson was able to create an operating plastic firearm that could fire hundreds of rounds merely within a year of the trial. He mentioned in an interview that [He is] seeing a world where technology says you can pretty much be able to have whatever you want, and that the people s want is not up to the political players anymore. After its release, more blueprints were created and published online, including the Grizzly.22 Rifle, Browning 1911 Metal Replica, Zig Zag.380 Revolver, and the.22 semi-automatic pistol. Moreover, the technology is expected to advance more quickly than people expect it to be: a 3D printer company named Makerbot has invented a 3D printer that enables people to use limestones, metal, and wood to create whatever they have to make, not excluding firearms. The firearms created with metal will surely be more destructive than those made out of plastic, being very similar to those that are manufactured professionally. As some defense companies such as Lockheed, Boeing, and General Electric started off with small crazy ideas that changed the world, the experts expect a new wave of change in the firearms industry. Coby Wilson is testing and presenting his invention, 'The Liberator.' Problems Raised Threat to Regional and International Security The number of illegal firearms will exponentially increase with the increase of 3D printed firearms. Recent years, gun control has been an issue all over the world, especially in the United States of America where owning a gun is legal for everyone. Yet, the manufacturing of gun using the 3D printing technology will introduce more firearms in countries that do not legalize the possession of firearms. Because the firearms can be produced with plastic material, they will be able to slip through metal securities that are often placed in public transportation stations such as the airport. Also, because it can be as cheap as $25 to create a firearm, assuming that one already owns a 3D

3 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 3 printer which itself is getting cheaper and more accessible to regular people, people will be more initiated to create and sell firearms which can lead to criminal activities. Moreover, the illegal creation and exchange of firearms can cause much trouble in tracking the criminals. The police usually search upon the type of the firearm that the criminals used to prove the suspect guilty because the legal records of purchasing weapons can display who owns what type of firearm. However, if the illegal creation of firearms become prevalent, it would not leave any track of the people who purchased or even created 3D printed firearms, disabling police officers to track down the owners of the firearms through the record. The same would occur for terrorists. The government and the police will not be able to prevent terrorist activities, because they would not have the exact record of firearm possession, threatening the security. Students running from the Columbine Massacre, a school shooting that happened in Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Difficulty to Eliminate or Control the Access to Blueprints It is impossible to control the internet, and therefore, the spread of blueprints of firearms. illegal creation of firearms. While it is undisputedly agreed that producing firearms using the 3D printing technology is dangerous, the government cannot do much to regulate their creation. The Bill of rights in the United States of America ensures the rights of people to carry and manufacture firearms, only when they do not sell them. Moreover, the manufacturing does not even require a license, when the existence of the black market makes it hard for the government to control their spread. Just as the illegal streaming of music cannot be eliminated, the sharing of the blueprints of firearms online is a major problem that hinders the government from preventing the International Actions / Key players

4 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 4 There is no specific international regulation that covers the area of 3D printed firearms, for the development of the technology is considerably resent, leaving no time for the world to craft relevant laws. Yet, the making of 3D printed firearms is related to the 3 rd article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. At this point, individual countries that recognizes the possible danger 3D printed firearms might pose have their own regulations considering them. Regulations, both new and old, bans the creation of firearms without permission in many countries that realized the significant danger that the 3D printing technology pose. Australia is one of the countries has been skeptical towards the 3D printed firearms. They have uploaded videos to warn their citizens of the danger of 3D printing firearms since the development of the first 3D printed firearm and hopes to hinder people from manufacturing them through 3D printing technology. Finally, in New South Wales, a province of Australia, the government officials amended the Firearms Act 1996 to enforce a law that bans the possession of blueprints that could enable a person to print a firearm using a 3D printer. Moreover, Japan sentenced a term of two years in prison to a man who downloaded and printed 5 plastic guns using the 3D printer, being the first person to be punished severely for 3D printed firearms related issue. However, unlike Australia and Japan, France recently tabled the draft law for later discussion that attempted to address the problems related to 3D printing technology, including the copy rights issue and the proper punishments that will be applied to people who produce dangerous products like firearms. This is because many experts in France believe that laws are unnecessary quite yet, for they do not expect 3D printers to be common household items in a close future and also think that the current laws overarching technology and creation of weapons are sufficient. Japanese police officers are taking away the 3D printers that were utilized to create firearms illegally. Although the United States of America is also aware of the possible danger that the 3D printed firearms can pose, they have not amended the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 to include the firearms that are not metallic, which refers to the 3D printed firearms, when they decided to continue to enforce the regulation for the next 10 years. On the other hand, the firearm Act of 1968 of the United Kingdom bans the illegal creation of private firearms, including those that utilize the

5 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 5 3D printing technology. Yet, despite the 3D printed firearm s dangerous nature, some of the law enforcement agencies are hopeful because by getting one step ahead of the criminals, dedicating themselves to cybercrimes and the emerging technologies like 3D printers, they might be able to get a step ahead of the criminals as well. Possible Solutions Government Involvement As the government s role is to ensure the stability and the security of a nation, government involvement is, again, crucial when it comes to manufacturing the firearms through 3D technology. One way to do so is by regulating the purchase of 3D printers, just like regulating the purchase of firearms. In this way, the police will be able to track down illegal transactions of firearms with much ease, and the number of firearms being made will reduce since people, knowing that the police keep an eye on their productions made through the 3D printer, will be more careful in choosing the products they print. Yet, there are much more ways in which the government can intervene in people s 3D printed productions to reduce and eliminate illegal creation of firearms. International Standard As mentioned earlier, there are no international action taken on this issue in specific. Therefore, it is extremely hard for individual countries to create regulations considering 3D printed firearms and its spread. Moreover, it is impossible for only a few countries to control all the servers that contain illegal blueprints, for they root from different places on earth. Thus, if the international society work together to craft a UNODA (United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs) can be involved. specific, yet broad enough for implementation of different countries, guidelines and standards for the international society to follow, the danger that 3D printed firearms pose will be greatly reduced. Strengthening Gun Control Because 3D printed firearms themselves also belong to the category of guns, strengthening gun control might also help the police to track down illegal creation of firearms through 3D printers.

6 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 6 For instance, broadening the category of guns that must be reported and enhancing the level of punishment for breaking the laws concerning the report of guns will lead the people who process 3D printed guns to report their ownership, even if the change might be small. Glossary Firearms Any weapons that utilizes gunpowder to discharge a shot is referred to as firearms. Thus, transportable and private guns will be referred to as the firearms, but excluding the military purposed arms that are utilized in wars. 3D Printing Technology in Creating Firearms 3D printing technology creates solid objects according to its digital models in electronic forms by depositing layers of materials, such as plastic or metal. However, the manufacturers do not print the guns as it is: they print one piece at a time, and put them together later to create a legitimate firearm. Blueprints In order to create a firearm using the 3D printing technology, a 3D printer with materials charged is needed in accordance with the digital plans for the firearms, also known as the blueprints. They give specific directions to the 3D printer, leading it to create an exact subject meticulously. Gun Control Gun control is a broad idea: it involves all the policies that attempts to regulate the manufacturing of guns and their use, not excluding their sale, possession, and even modification. The extent of the control is rather controversial, for people have different opinions toward guns. In countries where guns are legal, some people prefer to own guns for defense, while others wish to reduce the number of guns for guns are dangerous, often deadly. Blueprint released for users to freely manufacture a working firearm.

7 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 7 Black Market In the black market, people trade, transport, and sell products that are illegal, or do so through illegal routes. For instance, drugs and weapons are common products of the black market. Although illegal, it is hard for the government to regulate the activities involved in the black market, since its purpose is to avoid punishment from breaking the law, all the while gaining the products they want or must have. A cartoon that illustrates the concept of a Black Market and how hard it is for the police to track them.

8 TIANMUN 2018 Disarmament Commission 8 Sources Atherton, Kelsey D. Owning Blueprints To 3D Print A Gun Is Now A Crime In New South Wales. 24 November Article. 5 July < Estes, Adam Clark. 3D-Printed Guns Are Only Getting Better, and Scarier. 1 June Article. 1 July < >. Feinberg, Ashley. Makerbot Is Letting You 3D Print With Metal, Limestone, and Wood. 1 June Article. 1 July < Goldberg, Dana. History of 3D Printing: It s Older Than You Are (That Is, If You re Under 30). 13 April Article. 7 July < Grunewald, Scott J. What You Need to Know About 3D Printed Guns and Why You Don t Need to Fear them. 23 June Editorial. 4 July < Morelle, Rebecca. Working gun made with 3D printer. 6 May Article. 5 July < Thomas, Daniel J. The evolution of 3D printed firearms. 22 September Article. 5 July < Wikipedia. 3D printed firearms. 13 March Web. 1 July <