My compatriot, writing below, refers to this Japan Times story concerning a gentleman who purchased a 3D printer for about $600 (at present exchange), and proceeded to print out a handful firearms, two of which functioned (and an array of colors, if the picture is to be believed). He then proceeded to post videos discussing his achievement, and plans so that others might achieve the same.
The man asserted that he believed firearms to be a “basic human right,” a sentiment I would broadly agree with. He also claimed he didn’t believe the production of 3D printed firearms to be illegal, which given we’re speaking of Japan seems either disingenuous or incredibly ignorant, and added that he “can’t complain about the arrest if the police regard them as real guns,” which strikes me as either unfortunate translation, a simple acknowledgment of legal reality, or a craven bow to authority. I’ll leave it to you to speculate as to which, or what combination.
I write on this topic simply to add my own thoughts on the legal and practical situation of printed firearms. To a greater, and higher profile degree than anyone else, Defense Distributed has made this an “issue,” printing weapons capable of firing over a thousand rounds with success. They’ve also produced designs for “high capacity” magazines, allowing anyone with a 3D printer to circumvent any local bans on those. If memory serves, Defense Distributed’s founder espouses a sort of crypto-anarchism, with an aim to step on the tube of toothpaste, splattering it all over the internet.
It’s exceedingly hard, if perhaps not impossible, to put the toothpaste back.
Anyone with a 3D printer, which are falling in price all the time, will be able to find plans for firearms, and to produce them. At the moment such practice is legal in the United States, as producing firearms for personal use (note: not for sale) is not against the law. There have been mutterings, and dramatic swooning from politicians and media types, but for the moment it’s no crime. Even if that were to change (which it may well), such legislation would join the ranks of thousands of other practically unenforceable laws.
I’m late to the party here, and this pronouncement is hardly a novel realization. I’ve merely added my voice to the multitudes noting the obvious. I disagree with an assertion that there is any end to “general scarcity,” but gun control has been crippled, and the age of centralized, big-factory industry may well be under threat, at least regarding some products. But that’s a topic for another time.
Sundry Complaints 
The changes are growing faster and stronger. Perhaps soon we will be free.