3-D Printing
Raymond Carlos Cruz
Theatre Department
George Mason University
November 11th, 2014

Security and Social Issues

In a world where there are potential cyber threats at any moment, those who use this technology must analyze the security of 3-D printing. Even the Pentagon is looking at bringing a 3-D printer onboard U.S Navy ships. "Printing comes with a number of security concerns, including some related to cyber security" ( as cited in Mishory,2014, para. 2). If these Navy ships would depend on 3-D printers to one day print parts for the ships, those who are in command need to be cautious about those who could use it against them. Therefore, the security risks of 3-D printers are relevant. Just because they are printers it does not mean that hackers would not be interested in hacking these devices and possibly shutting these devices down, hence posing a threat to national security.The security risk that is intertwined with the social issues are that these 3-D printers are proven to create fully functioning guns. The plastic from 3-D printers can withstand the heat that guns fire off. "Cody Wilson, the founder of Defense Distributed, fired the first shot from his 3D-printed gun a few days ago, he created a flutter across the technology world with experts weighing down the pros and cons of 3D printing. After the blueprints for the plastic gun were downloaded 100,000 times, the US government has now demanded designs for a 3D-printed gun be taken offline" ("Are 3D-printed guns really dangerous?", 2013, para.1). The astounding number of times that the file has been downloaded is shocking to the public, however, the amount of times it was downloaded does not correlate to the amount of criminal incidents involving 3-D printed guns. There has been no reports to be cited about 3-D printed gun incidents, because no incident has occurred. Yet, the public is still skeptical of what it does not understand. Yes, the risk of 3-D printed guns raises some eyebrows, however through proper regulation, the 3-D printed gun would become more of a benefit than a concern. For example, police forces would be able to buy 3-D printed guns for half the cost of guns made by more expensive material. This is a potential risk that has been brought to light , and because of that, people can enjoy their second amendment rights given in the United States Constitution. "Defense distributed focuses on making a double lower receiver, which houses the trigger... ATF approved Federal Firearms license" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DconsfGsXyA). Because the ATF approved their license, Defense Distributed now has the ability to make their product accessible to the public. This information may be shocking to the public, yet it can be a benefit. The more cheap affordable guns, the more protection one can have. This social issue will be a continuous debate amongst the left and right wings of the political spectrum. However, the people must eventually have to choose, and regulate properly, as to how this technology will affect their lives.