US Government Shuts Down 3D Gun Creator

Since the blueprint hit the web for the Liberator gun, it’s been downloaded thousands of times, but the government has now stepped in and ordered the founder of Defense Distributed was ordered to remove the information.

According to an earlier interview, [Cody] Wilson received a letter from the US Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance, Enforcement Division (DTCC/END) which demanded the group remove the content in question from public domain.

The complaint reads that the “DTCC/END” will review the data Defense Distributed has released to ensure compliance with “Category I of the USML” (United States Munitions List). Apparently, releasing the files possibly violated the ITAR, or International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Though Wilson is not legally restricted from privately manufacturing firearms, apparently sharing emerging technology without a license or written approval from the government is unlawful. Commodity Jurisdiction determination requests were solicited for ten of Defense Distributed’s file types, including “The Liberator.”

By: Cheston Catalano

Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.