ITAR + THR/forums

[Dudedog]

With the new proposal published on June 3, the State Department claims to be "clarifying" the rules concerning "technical data" posted online or otherwise "released" into the "public domain." To the contrary, however, the proposal would institute a massive new prior restraint on free speech. This is because all such releases would require the "authorization" of the government before they occurred. The cumbersome and time-consuming process of obtaining such authorizations, moreover, would make online communication about certain technical aspects of firearms and ammunition essentially impossible.

Penalties for violations are severe and for each violation could include up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Civil penalties can also be assessed. Each unauthorized "export," including to subsequent countries or foreign nationals, is also treated as a separate violation.

Gunsmiths, manufacturers, reloaders, and do-it-yourselfers could all find themselves muzzled under the rule and unable to distribute or obtain the information they rely on to conduct these activities. Prior restraints of the sort contemplated by this regulation are among the most disfavored regulations of speech under First Amendment case law.

Any ideas on how this will affect us and THR?
I know it had been mentioned in the past.

It may be possible I am just not understanding it correctly and it will have not have affect us.

 

[Frank Ettin]

You don't link to your source, so it's bit unclear as to what you're asking about.

A number of changes to ITAR were proposed on 3 June 2015. Some of the proposed changes related to technical data and could have been problematic. It doesn't appear that those proposed changes were adopted.

A new set of changes to ITAR were proposed 3 June 2016 and my be found here.

I haven't reviewed them and therefore don't know if these changes might be an issue for THR, and I'm not sure when I will be able to get to a review.

If anyone cares to give it a try, feel free.

 

[barnbwt]

Unless something changed, they are still reviewing comments from the 2015 changes (or I missed their posted responses)

Both rule changes effectively seek to bring common small arms under ITAR control, where they previously had not been. Ironic considering we supply M4s and Stingers to foreign ruffians.

TCB

 

[Dudedog]

Sorry Frank will dig up the link, I seem to have misplaced it (could have sworn I bookmarked it) and should have included it to begin with.
I was concerned about the sharing of reloading info mainly.

PS - Thanks to you and all the mods for what you guys/gals do for us. I appreciate it.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Dudedog,

I think we're okay. We seem to have identified what we were looking for. But of course, the link might be useful if there's more information available at that source.