3D printed gun blueprints allowed to go online

For years the State Department had been fighting back a lawsuit from an online company that was forced to take down a downloadable gun blueprint because the post was a violation of the international traffic in arms regulations. But starting August 1, anyone with internet and a 3D printer will be able to make an untraceable handgun, rifle or assault weapon.

The State Department has decided to allow a private company to post gun blueprints on-line for anyone to access.

Austin-based company called Defense Distributed plans to launch an online database on August 1st of downloadable blueprints for a wide variety of guns that can be 3D-printed.

Lt. Lee Rogers with the Austin Police Department says, "this is something new, this is something that hasn't really been out for that long so I'm not really sure what a 3d printed firearm is going to look like so I don't know what it's going to anticipate."

APD says if someone is prohibited from possessing a 3D firearm or regular ones then their department will handle it like how they have been doing.

Michael Cargill the owner of Central Texas Gun Works says people visiting from other states have asked him about how to build their own gun. He says he was already on the phone talking with someone on how to get the material in to be able to build a 3D printer.

"This is America, it's about the constitution, liberty and freedom. You're talking hours to be able to build something like that. It's not the ideal firearm, the liberator, but it is something that you can do at home," Cargill says.

Representative Lloyd Doggett released a statement saying:

"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."

A person from the board of directors from Texas Gun Works tells FOX 7 Austin, "this is something that may not be able to be stopped. Just because you have the right to, doesn't mean you should do it. This will make the world a dangerous place."