Judge blocks release of 3D-printed gun plans

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A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order to stop the release of blueprints to make untraceable and undetectable 3D-printed plastic guns.

Eight Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block the federal government’s settlement with the company that makes the plans available online. They also sought a restraining order, arguing the 3D guns would be a safety risk.

U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik issued the order.

The company behind the plans, Austin, Texas-based Defense Distributed, had reached a settlement with the federal government in June that would have allowed it to make the plans for the guns available for download on Wednesday.

The restraining order puts that plan on hold for now.

In the meantime, Congressional Democrats have urged President Trump to reverse the decision to let Defense Distributed publish the plans. Trump said Tuesday that he’s “looking into” the idea, saying making 3D plastic guns available to the public “doesn’t seem to make much sense!”

Previously, the White House declined to say whether the president thinks blueprints for printing plastic guns should be available to the public.

Spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters aboard Air Force One that Trump “is committed to the safety and security of all Americans and considers this his highest responsibility.”

Gidley noted that it’s currently illegal to own or make a wholly plastic gun, including any made with a 3D printer. He said the administration supports that law and “will continue to look at all options available to us to do what is necessary to protect Americans while also supporting the First and Second amendments.”

Democrats called on Trump to reverse his administration’s decision to allow the blueprints for a 3D-printed gun to be made available online.

“Donald Trump will be totally responsible for every downloadable, plastic AR-15 (gun) that will be roaming the streets of our country if he does not act today” to stop it, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey said.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said if Trump fails to act, “blood is going to be on his hands.”

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