Not very clever!

[Dave Ward]

I've been trawling the 'net, looking at 3D free models, there's the normal sort of stuff, Star Wars, dungeons & dragons etc.etc. One thing I did find, which shouldn't have surprised me, was replica firearms & other items, like hand grenades! All looking to be pretty authentic & detailed - most are solids, but there are a few that include all the internals. there's even a full scale Vickers m.g. - allegedly made from production drawings. I see that there is a theatrical use for them, but printed & painted I'm pretty sure that they'd be taken for the real thing! Seems like anyone waving one of these things isn't going to be challenged - inviting armed response. There doesn't seem to be any restriction on these. I'm not talking about real firearms, just replicas, but in the UK, with the majority of people not familiar with handguns ( apart from TV & Cinema ) who's going to bet that it isn't real? One side of 3D printing that had never crossed my mind!
Dave

[AlanG]

They've been done before and there are files out there that allow you to download and print a working handgun. But the act of downloading the file, even if you do not intend to print it, is illegal and could result in a prison sentence. Bit like owning a certain (full unedited version) hand guide to Anarchy

[AlanG]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-64900210

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64548277

[Dave Ward]

I was actually talking about replicas not real firearms!
Dave

[AlanG]

I was actually talking about replicas not real firearms!
Dave

I was putting the information out there just in case people went searching and downloading things that could possibly find them in trouble with the law. Replicas are a grey area that again, the downloader must be aware of any laws pertaining to their country of residence. Remember Dave. Not everyone that uses this forum is from the UK.

As a moderator i have to ensure that any information placed on here in the public domain is lawful.

[Jim R]

I wouldn't know a real gun from a replica. If someone pointed a 3D printed and painted replica at me it would definitely be time to change my trousers.

They've been done before and there are files out there that allow you to download and print a working handgun. But the act of downloading the file, even if you do not intend to print it, is illegal and could result in a prison sentence. Bit like owning a certain (full unedited version) hand guide to Anarchy

There needs to be the same law for downloading files for replicas in my opinion.

[Dave Ward]

There needs to be the same law for downloading files for replicas in my opinion.

Probably right, but one of those things that's going to happen no matter what - there have been many attempts to stop pornography on the net. but that's an impossible task without severely restricting content on the vast majority of innocuous sites - I found replicas on all of the 3D sites I visited, no restriction, just dowmload the files - who notices the 'desert eagle' amongst the 'moon princess', or the 'dragon slayer'? ( the desert eagle is a huge magnum pistol )
Dave

[AlanG]

I found replicas on all of the 3D sites I visited, no restriction, just dowmload the files

Dave. There probably are no restrictions for downloading them on the site. They could be hosted anywhere. The issue i am trying to get through to you and everyone else is that. In some countries, just downloading/owning that file could get you into bother with the law.