Firearm design - rapid prototyping - legal?

[metalman8600]

Say you have a firearm design in CAD and want to use 3D printing to rapid prototype the firearm to see if everything is all working as intended. 3D printing is a method of prototyping that acts like a regular paper printer, but instead of ink it uses a special plastic and it does it in layers. It layers the cross section of the computer model until a finished product is complete. The firearm will not be able to be fired, even with a .22lr because the plastic is very fragile and brittle. It is used for only verifying designs and being able to physically see what you created on the computer.... Prototyping purposes only.

Question is, is a rapid prototyped (3D printed - very fragile plastic) firearm considered a real firearm and subject to all the legal stuff that a real firearm would be?

And yes, I have access to a quality 3D printer. So this just ins't speculation.

Maybe I won't do 3D printing, but machinable plastic instead. Just is prototyping it legal without any legal forms or permits?

 

[Jon_Snow]

I don't see why not. If the object created isn't capable of firing a round then it isn't a gun. Otherwise airsoft manufacturers would all have to have FFLs.

 

[TexasRifleman]

It is perfectly legal to manufacture guns for your own use without any paperwork at all, even ones that really shoot

 

[brickeyee]

Absent a state law restricting the manufacture of a gun, there is no federal issue as long as it is not sold.

Some states do not allow you to make a gun without a license (CA is one IIRC).

Just don't make anything full auto without the paperwork first.

 

[il_10]

As above, feel free to make your rapid prototype. That wouldn't be subject to any legal problems anywhere. Further, feel free to make a firing model whenever you want to. And in response to Brickeyee's post, feel free to sell your firing model sometime in the future. If it has the name of manufacturer and a serial number, and location of manufacturer (there may be some more information that I missed) engraved on it, you're still legal. You just can't make a firing model with the INTENT to sell it. As in, prototypes are fine, and selling it when you've already gotten your patents and have no more interest in it is fine, but making a batch of 'em to turn right back around and sell is not legal.

 

[Jon_Snow]

Heh, as Brick and Texas pointed out, I was getting federal law and Ca law confused.

 

[nalioth]

This:

If the object created isn't capable of firing a round then it isn't a gun. Otherwise airsoft manufacturers would all have to have FFLs.

 

[ldsgeek]

I can send you .stl files for a 1911 frame and slide if you want. They are building this weekend in one of the Dimension printers in my office. As a demo unit these are great. I know for a fact that Sig and Savage use these as I service their printers, as well as several accessory manufacturers in New England.

 

[Buck Snort]

It is perfectly legal to manufacture guns for your own use without any paperwork at all, even ones that really shoot

That does not appear to be the case in the PRC.