Tech | Innovating to Block 3D Gun Manufacturing and Distribution Sculpteo • 3D printing technology has broadened the ability to manufacture a variety of products easily and cheaply. Unfortunately, firearms are one of the products which, due to the proliferation of blueprints for 3D printed guns online, have seen an uptick in production. • Major concerns about 3D printed guns included that they are untraceable as they do not have serial numbers, and undetectable by metal detectors as they are made of plastic. Further, enforcement of age restrictions and background checks is nearly impossible, given the lack of traceability of 3D printed guns. • In response to the release of blueprints for 3D printed guns, many 3D printing companies, including Sculpteo and Materialise have banned the printing of firearms and launched features to block the production of guns on their 3D printers. Sources:Sculpteo: Why we don't 3D Print Guns; The Trace: 3D Printed Guns