this post was submitted on 05 Jul 2026
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For the same reason that it would be better to regulate polluters than to expect individuals to recycle their waste en masse. Regulating this at an individual level is demonstrably less effective, given that the recovery of self-created guns used in crimes has increased significantly in recent years.
Whether anti-gun 3D-printing algorithms will even work isn't certain yet, but I'm all for giving it a try and forcing people to risk acquiring said weapons via legit manufacturers and shops which may be more traceable or risk the black market.
My printer is not connected, its firmware is opensource, and use a VPN. I'm pretty sure whoever has bad intents will have no issue figuring out how to get a model and print it.
I believe this regulation would mostly impact casual 3D-printing enthusiasts who minds their privacy, and set a precedent to regulate what can be printed. I wouldn't be surprised if some people were watching this closely, thinking about banning spare parts models to repair appliances under an "IP" excuse.
There are so many precedent where freedom restrictions passed under the excuse of "terrorism", "protect the children", now "prevent murders" and later there is almost never a review of their efficiency, because when there is… the conclusion is appalling.
We're just slowly moving towards more control and less freedom.