Philadelphia Is First City to Ban 3D Guns

With the idea of 3D-printed guns already causing controversy, the city of Philadelphia apparently doesn't want to take any chances. The city council this week voted to make such guns illegal, reports NBC Philadelphia. Once Mayor Michael Nutter signs off, that will make Philadelphia the first city in the nation to enact a law against 3D guns, notes Philadelphia Magazine. The magazine sounds a wee bit skeptical of the benefit, however, considering that no printers of 3D guns are known to exist in the city.

"It’s all pre-emptive," an aide to the legislator behind the measure tells the publication. "It’s just based upon Internet stuff out there." The law would not apply to licensed gun manufacturers but is instead aimed at criminals who might try to print a cheap, undetectable (no metal) firearm. Sen. Chuck Schumer wants a federal law to the same effect. A blogger at Reason points out that the city's law might conflict with a state law protecting gun rights, while a blogger at Gizmodo thinks the focus on 3D guns "distracts us from the very big problems we still have with conventional weapons." (More Philadelphia stories.)