Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

EffieBlack

(14,249 posts)
14. The Byzantine "tracing" process you propose is preposterous
Tue Jul 31, 2018, 11:12 AM
Jul 2018

Your "spitball" process MIGHT work IF the gun is left behind for the authorities to get possession of and analyze it AND THEN do a full search of everyone who ever downloaded a file with that particular gun design AND if everyone who downloaded those particular designs actually printed them out themselves on printers they had personally purchased that could be traced back directly to them AND they personally purchased the material that was used to make the gun.

This only works if the authorities have the gun. If they don't have the gun, ballistics won't tell them a thing.

And all of that is if and only if law enforcement has the time and resources to do this kind of investigation for every incident involving the gun.

In other words, your scenario is ridiculous, both from a practical and law enforcement standpoint.

In other words, these guns are untraceable.

But your effort to convince people that this aspect is "no big deal" is duly noted.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Why does it matter? Crutchez_CuiBono Jul 2018 #1
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ still_one Jul 2018 #2
3-D guns present a vector for implementing gun control hexola Jul 2018 #3
I think there might be some misdirected concern here. genxlib Jul 2018 #4
There's a difference between detection and tracing. hexola Jul 2018 #5
That might be true genxlib Jul 2018 #12
Starting from a 3D printed gun located at the scene of a crime markses66 Jul 2018 #6
Not sure - but hexola Jul 2018 #7
Seriously? EffieBlack Jul 2018 #9
Are you quite confident its not possible? hexola Jul 2018 #10
The Byzantine "tracing" process you propose is preposterous EffieBlack Jul 2018 #14
I designed and built my own 3d-printer... belcffub Jul 2018 #15
For starters genxlib Jul 2018 #16
Should be easy. Iggo Jul 2018 #24
Are saying purchases are never entered into evidence of a crime? hexola Jul 2018 #25
I want to know that it's a plausible task given your OP markses66 Jul 2018 #21
Not so easy. aikoaiko Jul 2018 #22
Maybe if the criminal leaves the gun behind. Seriously, how often does that happen? brush Jul 2018 #29
Hummuna Hummuna ... EffieBlack Jul 2018 #8
5 year old article - If You Can't Stop it, Trace it -- Personalised Forensics and 3D Printing hexola Jul 2018 #11
There are a lot of coulds and possibilities in that article... belcffub Jul 2018 #19
Did we start? Iggo Jul 2018 #13
Hmmm not really Kentonio Jul 2018 #17
Well, with enough tech know how Downtown Hound Jul 2018 #18
Not correct. Oneironaut Jul 2018 #20
If you want an untraceable gun, build a sub-machine gun in a rudimentary workshop Kaleva Jul 2018 #23
You can put a file on a disc to print it Johnny2X2X Jul 2018 #26
It shouldn't be much different than anti-counterfeit technology in printers hexola Jul 2018 #27
Actually I would guess more than 50% DVRacer Jul 2018 #28
Way less traceable than a manufactured gun with a serial number. n/t Orsino Jul 2018 #30
I'll accept less traceable - fair enough. hexola Jul 2018 #31
How would you trace a particular weapon? Orsino Jul 2018 #32
Today? I have no idea... hexola Jul 2018 #34
They will be difficult to trace to a crime because the weapon will most likely be Vinca Jul 2018 #33
Sounds like more of a lead than a metal gun at the bottom of a lake 5 states away hexola Jul 2018 #35
Not really. Disposable guns is a dream come true for criminals. Vinca Jul 2018 #37
Eh no. Chris Studio Jul 2018 #36
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Can we stop saying 3D gun...»Reply #14