<p><strong>Sort of.</strong></p>

<p>Fully plastic guns are banned in the United States by <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-102/pdf/STATUTE-102-Pg3816.pdf" rel="nofollow">the Undetectable Firearms Act</a>, because <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/14/fashion/the-rise-of-3-d-printed-guns.html" rel="nofollow">they can pass unseen through metal detectors</a> - a huge problem. One way around this is to insert a slip of metal into the gun, thereby making it detectable by metal detectors. 3D-printed guns made of metal - were that possible - would not violate the law.</p>

<p>The UFA was originally enacted in 1988, extended from 2003 to 2013, and then again until 2023. It may seem a bit unnecessary, as all-plastic guns, like the famous Liberator have structural issues that make them extremely difficult to fire when compared to a normal all-metal gun. However, then <em>can</em> be used.</p>

<p>In Europe, gun laws vary widely by country. <a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31991L0477" rel="nofollow">The European Firearms Directive</a> is the main international agreement on gun laws, but its application varies, and it does not directly address 3D-printed guns.</p>

<p>I'm not aware of a country that has an explicit law banning 3D-printed guns. The only countries that ban them either unintentionally cover them or ban guns altogether.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-12T23:48:21.337Z
Many countries in Europe have a blanket ban on all firearms, be it metal, plastic or cheese.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-12T23:54:32.683Z
@TomvanderZanden I think I'd have to write a book to cover them all! I'm not familiar with gun bans in Europe (although I don't believe they cover 3D-printed guns), so I think I'll avoid going into detail about them all. But yes, a blanket ban is certainly the simplest.
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-13T01:25:07.737Z
In Canada, it's illegal to carry a weapon, concealed or not, as defined in Sections 86-93 of the [Criminal Code](http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/index.html). If a 3D printed object is designed and built to be an imitation of an existing weapon, that is also illegal under Section 85 of the Criminal Code (Obviously, water guns wouldn't be illegal, especially if you buy them at a dollar store). The only exception is when following the Firearms Act. Remember, I'm no lawyer. :)
Zizouz212
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-13T01:26:20.553Z
@Zizouz212 Hm, I didn't know that! Fortunately, the question restricts itself to the US and Europe.
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-14T04:45:26.557Z
I just did a huge research project and my data goes along with this. If you can detect it with safety equipment, it's legal. One interesting documentary is the Vice 3D printed weapon video on YouTube.
Chase Cromwell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-12T23:45:22.727Z
2016-01-13T21:45:14.753Z
2016-01-13T21:45:14.753Z
HDE 226868
<p>Is there any regulation against a 3D printed weapon in the United States or Europe?</p>

<p>Some time ago, I saw <a href="http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1579449-crean-la-primera-arma-de-fuego-con-una-impresora-3d" rel="noreferrer">an article</a> in Israel where they had one that was not detected by the x-ray and was fully functional!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-12T23:54:53.433Z
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it belongs to http://law.stackexchange.com/
kenorb
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-13T00:05:25.860Z
It *also* might belong here.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-13T00:52:52.623Z
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the legality of a 3d printed object doesn't deal with the manufacture of a 3d printed object itself, and can instead be asked at [Law](https://law.stackexchange.com)
Zizouz212
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-13T02:14:38.320Z
I agree with @TomvanderZanden; a good case could be made for keeping this here. Laws and regulations can be a huge influence on an industry; the allowance or ban of certain products of said industry would seem to be relevant here. Remember, questions can be on-topic on multiple sites.
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-13T17:47:05.027Z
Related meta post: [Are questions involving legal issues and 3D printing on-topic?](http://meta.3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/32/20)
kenorb
<legal>
Is it legal to make a fire weapon with a 3D printer?
jasilva
# Is it legal to make a fire weapon with a 3D printer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-12)

Is there any regulation against a 3D printed weapon in the United States or Europe?

Some time ago, I saw [an article](http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1579449-crean-la-primera-arma-de-fuego-con-una-impresora-3d) in Israel where they had one that was not detected by the x-ray and was fully functional!

**Tags:** legal

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it belongs to http://law.stackexchange.com/  
> **username_2**: It *also* might belong here.  
> **username_3**: I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because the legality of a 3d printed object doesn't deal with the manufacture of a 3d printed object itself, and can instead be asked at [Law](https://law.stackexchange.com)  
> **username_4**: I agree with @username_2; a good case could be made for keeping this here. Laws and regulations can be a huge influence on an industry; the allowance or ban of certain products of said industry would seem to be relevant here. Remember, questions can be on-topic on multiple sites.  
> **username_1**: Related meta post: [Are questions involving legal issues and 3D printing on-topic?](http://meta.3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/32/20)  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-01-12. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

**Sort of.**

Fully plastic guns are banned in the United States by [the Undetectable Firearms Act](http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-102/pdf/STATUTE-102-Pg3816.pdf), because [they can pass unseen through metal detectors](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/14/fashion/the-rise-of-3-d-printed-guns.html) - a huge problem. One way around this is to insert a slip of metal into the gun, thereby making it detectable by metal detectors. 3D-printed guns made of metal - were that possible - would not violate the law.

The UFA was originally enacted in 1988, extended from 2003 to 2013, and then again until 2023. It may seem a bit unnecessary, as all-plastic guns, like the famous Liberator have structural issues that make them extremely difficult to fire when compared to a normal all-metal gun. However, then *can* be used.

In Europe, gun laws vary widely by country. [The European Firearms Directive](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31991L0477) is the main international agreement on gun laws, but its application varies, and it does not directly address 3D-printed guns.

I'm not aware of a country that has an explicit law banning 3D-printed guns. The only countries that ban them either unintentionally cover them or ban guns altogether.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Many countries in Europe have a blanket ban on all firearms, be it metal, plastic or cheese.  
> **username_4**: @username_2 I think I'd have to write a book to cover them all! I'm not familiar with gun bans in Europe (although I don't believe they cover 3D-printed guns), so I think I'll avoid going into detail about them all. But yes, a blanket ban is certainly the simplest.  
> **username_3**: In Canada, it's illegal to carry a weapon, concealed or not, as defined in Sections 86-93 of the [Criminal Code](http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/index.html). If a 3D printed object is designed and built to be an imitation of an existing weapon, that is also illegal under Section 85 of the Criminal Code (Obviously, water guns wouldn't be illegal, especially if you buy them at a dollar store). The only exception is when following the Firearms Act. Remember, I'm no lawyer. :)  
> **username_4**: @username_3 Hm, I didn't know that! Fortunately, the question restricts itself to the US and Europe.  
> **username_5**: I just did a huge research project and my data goes along with this. If you can detect it with safety equipment, it's legal. One interesting documentary is the Vice 3D printed weapon video on YouTube.  

---

