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Plastic 3D guns printed at home will raise threat level for everyone, especially Congress

A judge has temporary blocked online instructions for 3D printed guns. We need a permanent ban before tragedy strikes at the Capitol and elsewhere.

Terrance Gainer
Opinion contributor
3D-printed plastic gun

It’s difficult to imagine, but last Friday the federal government made it easier for anyone with internet access to download designs for creating a 3D-printed plastic firearm in their homes. This decision would allow individuals with dangerous histories to access online blueprints, evade state and federal gun laws and print an untraceable weapon without even obtaining a background check. Many of these downloadable guns would circumvent the federal law banning plastic guns and can be printed entirely in plastic.

As a former Chief of U.S. Capitol Police and Senate Sergeant at Arms, I know that a failure to permanently stop downloadable guns will increase the challenges of protecting the security of members of Congress, their staff and visitors to the Capitol.

To enter a building on the Capitol complex, visitors and staff must pass through a screening checkpoint run by Capitol Police. Any kind of deadly weapon — including guns — is prohibited in the complex to ensure that members can conduct their official business without the threat of violence from those who might wish to do them harm. Unfortunately, even the most technologically advanced security cannot neutralize all possible threats

Rising threat level from plastic guns 

Last week, the Capitol community paused in a moment of silence to recognize the lives of Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut, who were killed by a deranged gunman in 1998. That shooting changed security at the Capitol forever, but it hasn’t stopped the threats to members and visitors. Last month, we recognized the one-year mark of the congressional baseball practice shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, where members, staff, and friends were shot and injured. Two years ago, another individual brandished a BB gun in the Capitol Visitor Center full of tourists.

The Capitol Police is constantly re-evaluating the threats facing the Capitol and the people it protects. But it’s difficult to imagine how much worse these threats would be if plastic firearms were readily available.

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Last weekend, because of special treatment from the State Department, a Texas company made downloadable instructions for 3D printing firearms readily available online. Anyone with access to a computer, an internet connection, and a capable 3D printer — including terrorists, felons, and others with dangerous histories — was able to make a variety of untraceable handguns, rifles, and assault weapons.

This type of capability increases the challenges for law enforcement, especially at the Capitol. We already have a wealth of intelligence that shows terrorists want to inflict at least symbolic damage to the Capitol because it represents freedom and American democracy. Just last year, an Islamic State propaganda magazine stressed the use of easily available guns in the U.S. to commit terrorist acts. With widely available downloadable instructions, the ingenuity of potential offenders who wish to do harm at the Capitol will challenge the technology of detection and defense, even in a secure facility protected by Capitol Police.

3D guns are a unique threat to our leaders

While I strongly support the Second Amendment and appreciate the fundamental right of American citizens to keep and bear arms, our elected leaders must recognize the unique threat downloadable firearms pose to public safety. Protecting visitors, staff, and members in the Capitol from harm is an obligation not just for Capitol Police, but it is a responsibility for all of our elected officials.

On Tuesday night, a federal court in Washington State issued a nationwide order that temporarily stopped the company’s publication of the blueprints online. But this injunction only lasts until Aug. 10. We can sit by and wait for Aug. 11 to end up in the same place as we were before the courts rightfully stepped in. Or, our leaders can permanently stop downloadable guns before tragedy strikes.

President Trump’s State Department must reverse the temporary modification to the United States Munitions List and withdraw the special exemption granted to the company immediately. And as the State Department finalizes a proposed rule about exporting guns that have already been built by manufacturers, it must keep gun schematics on the U.S. Munitions List and continue prohibiting the posting of these blueprints online.

Congress does not need to wait for the State Department and should pass legislation that will stop downloadable guns from being available online. Protecting the Capitol is not a partisan issue and I urge all members to support common sense proposals that will keep us safe.

Inaction on this important issue of public safety and national security is unacceptable.

 

Terrance Gainer is a former law enforcement officer, Chief of the United States Capitol Police and was the 38th Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate, serving in that position from January 4, 2007 to May 2, 2014.

 

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