Plastic Gun Ban Renewed

Ten more years without plastic guns that might go undetected by X-ray machines and metal detectors. This is the ban congress renewed late on Monday night. There was little opposition to the renewal, and that includes comments from the NRA. There was however, a proposed change from a senator from New York. Sen. Schumer’s proposed changes included the requirement of adding permanent metal parts to make plastic guns more detectable. But the senator clearly misundestands that most “plastic” handguns have many metal internal parts, without which the plastic parts would add up to little more than a blunt object.

This is similar to the thinking that occurred when the bill was introduced. Back in 1988 when this bill was first established it was the fantastic plastic Glock that lawmakers feared. However, they failed to educate themselves on the fact that Glocks actually contain enough metal parts to be easily detected by metal detecors. Yet again, elected officials are forgetting that it isn’t laws that stop criminals, but the enforcers of those laws. So why don’t they free up some cash for better training and more high-tech detection devices?

It seems clear that the changes proposed were an attempt to inch toward thwarting the 3D printed gun movement, and I think it’s a good thing that it will be another 10 years before they can address the issue again. As it is, law makers don’t seem to do enough research before they write laws. So the fact that they were attempting to get involved in this issue before there is even a product to consider a threat just seems a big waste of time. Besides, I haven’t seen anything other than ARs being 3D printed. Are security personnel worried about missing ARs that are sent through detection devices?

But what do you think? Are 3D printed guns going to start selling at GunUp and other local shops around the country?