Guest Post by
They’re acting like this is legal when in fact it’s the expression of a political preference. The artifact that they’re shipping is a CNC mill. There’s nothing about it that is specifically related to firearms except the hocus pocus of the marketing.
You should know that I am making a legal product, to allow you to make a rifle, and I’m probably going to have to smuggle it out of my own city, because the large shipping cartels are in league with the administration, and I honestly to this day, don’t know how I’m going to ship it.
– Cody Wilson, co-founder of Defense Distributed
Longtime readers of Liberty Blitzkrieg will be familiar with Cody Wilson and his company Defense Distributed. Cody is a brilliant, passionate patriot, and a staunch defender of the Republic. As such, he and his endeavors are considered problematic and offensive by the corporate-authoritarian power structure.
It’s extremely important to constantly flex ones civil rights within so-called “free societies” in order to prove to oneself that they still exist. Cody has been at the forefront of doing just that, and the reaction from the status quo can be extremely instructive in demonstrating just how far we have fallen into a failed soft-fascist corporate state.
Before getting into the meat of this article, it’s important offer some background on Defense Distributed and the CNC mill currently in question. Here’s an excerpt from last year’s post, All Supply of the $1,200 Machine for Making Guns Has Sold Out in 36 Hours:
On Wednesday, Cody Wilson’s libertarian non-profit Defense Distributed revealed the Ghost Gunner, a $1,200 computer-controlled (CNC) milling machine designed to let anyone make the aluminum body of an AR-15 rifle at home, with no expertise, no regulation, and no serial numbers. Since then, he’s sold more than 200 of the foot-cubed CNC mills—175 in the first 24 hours. That’s well beyond his expectations; Wilson had planned to sell only 110 of the machines total before cutting off orders.
While the Ghost Gunner is a general-purpose CNC mill, capable of automatically carving polymer, wood, and metal in three dimensions,Defense Distributed has marketed its machine specifically as a tool for milling the so-called lower receiver of an AR-15, which is the regulated body of that semi-automatic rifle.
As it turns out, sales aren’t the problem, shipping is. As covered by Wired, both FedEx and UPS, what Cody calls the “shipping cartel,” are refusing to ship his product, despite the fact that it is merely a tool, and manufacturing your own firearms is perfectly constitutional.
From Wired:
The new generation of “maker” tools like 3-D printers and milling machines promises to let anyone make virtually anything—from prosthetic limbs to firearms—in the privacy and convenience of his or her own home. But first, those tools have to get to customers’ homes. That’s going to be difficult for at least one new machine with the potential to make homemade firearms, because FedEx is refusing to deliver it.
Last week FedEx told firearm-access nonprofit Defense Distributed that the company refuses to ship the group’s new tool, a computer controlled (CNC) mill known as the Ghost Gunner. Defense Distributed has marketed its one-foot-cubed $1,500 machine, which allows anyone to automatically carve aluminum objects from digital designs, as an affordable, private way to make an AR-15 rifle body without a serial number. Add in off-the-shelf parts that can be ordered online, and the Ghost Gunner would allow anyone to create one of the DIY, untraceable, semi-automatic firearms sometimes known as “ghost guns.”
When the machine was revealed last October, Defense Distributed’s pre-orders sold out in 36 hours. But now FedEx tells WIRED it’s too wary of the legal issues around homemade gunsmithing to ship the machine to customers. “This device is capable of manufacturing firearms, and potentially by private individuals,” FedEx spokesperson Scott Fiedler wrote in a statement. “We are uncertain at this time whether this device is a regulated commodity by local, state or federal governments. As such, to ensure we comply with the applicable law and regulations, FedEx declined to ship this device until we know more about how it will be regulated.”
But buying, selling, or using the Ghost Gunner isn’t illegal, nor is owning an AR-15 without a serial number, says Adam Winkler, a law professor at UCLA and the author of Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America. “This is not that problematic,” he says. “Federal law does not prohibit individuals from making their own firearms at home, and that includes AR-15s.”
Last week the FedEx rep told Wilson in a phone conversation that it wouldn’t ship his mills, though it didn’t offer any legal or policy explanation of the decision until WIRED’s inquiry. After its statement about the Ghost Gunner’s questionable legality, FedEx spokesperson Fiedler declined to comment further on its decision not to ship the devices. Fiedler pointed me to a list of items FedEx won’t ship, ranging from hazardous waste to human corpses. He noted that it also includes marijuana, an example of an item that’s banned by FedEx despite being legal in some states. The list doesn’t include anything about guns or gun-making tools.
The US Postal Service didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they would allow the shipment of the Ghost Gunner or other potential gunsmithing devices. A UPS spokesperson wrote in a statement that the company will only ship guns and gun parts between holders of a federal firearms license. In a follow-up statement, it confirmed that it won’t ship the Ghost Gunner either. “UPS reserves the right to refuse to provide transportation service for, among other reasons, any shipments that create legal, safety or operational concerns. UPS is continuing to evaluate such concerns with regard to the transportation of milling machines used to produce operable firearms but, at this point in time, will not accept such devices for transportation,” writes spokesperson Dan Mackin. “UPS is continuing to evaluate such concerns with regard to the transportation of milling machines used to produce operable firearms but, at this point in time, will not accept such devices for transportation.”1 2
The most interesting and disturbing part about all of this is that FedEx and UPS do not appear to be acting based on legality, but rather political preference. While they are entitled to do this as private corporations, all Americans should be aware of their decision and the potential future ramifications to freedom and free markets.
Cody was interviewed about the topic on Infowars last night. I suggest watching it.
For related articles, see:
All Supply of the $1,200 Machine for Making Guns Has Sold Out in 36 Hours
Meet “The Liberator”: The World’s First Fully 3D-Printed Firearm
3D-Printing Meets the 2nd Amendment
Meet Dark Wallet – How Crypto-Anarchists Will Store Their Bitcoins
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger
You can bet your personal privvy , these two corporations are acting on Federal instructions…both know the power of a bureaurat scorned…
best go along to get along…
Hey look free money… no one is protecting our freedom…no one..book it .
http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2015/february/27/state-department-gives-87-percent-of-afghan-funds-to-only-five-recipients/
The US war in Afghanistan has been very good for the profits of Dynacorp and a few other big multi-nationals. In fact, writes Peter van Buren, the vast majority of the $4 billion spent on Afghan “reconstruction” by the State Department went to just five big and well-connected US corporations. Wonder why war is so popular among the elites?
State Department Gives 87 Percent of Afghan Funds to Only Five Recipients
On that note Biden’s brother received gov no bid contract for Iraq,billions note he is not a contractor.That was a few years ago,since then Michelle Obama same M O with Obamacare-Jarret was involved as was her daughter,Polosi,Maxine Waters,same .They are all WEALTHY,…….So just think if taxpayers all secede?
Q: You have a .44 Magnum. You have 20 water balloons lined up in a row. You’re about 6 feet from the first balloon, and you pull the trigger. How many water balloons will the bullet go through?
Anyone?
Why was the owner of the company which created the mill being so explicit to the shipping company what the intended end use of the product was? It appears to my untrained eyes that the intent was more to generate controversy and attention instead of actually getting a legal product to the purchasers of said product…
In the wise words of Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez, known as “the Rat”, “when you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk…”
This owner and any others like him just need to keep their mouths closed and STFU; the product is an innocuous desktop CNC mill… By their publicity stunt they are going to earn a lot of additional unwanted scrutiny on many other products with potential dual purposes and applications.
Stucky,
Sounds like a good question for “Dirty” Harry Callahan…
I know what you’re thinkin’, punk. You’re thinkin’ did he fire six shots or only five? Now to tell you the truth, I forgotten myself in all this excitement. But bein’ this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and it’ll blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself a question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?!
A better one would be how many water balloons in a row equals one jackbooted fascist pig in level III body armor…
Unregistered manufacture by private citizens has to be next on the list, I would also say .50 BMG, and some broad ammo something(a small step). Unless there is another event with slain children spread about, it is then possible for a lot more.
There was an operation in CO that had mills set up where you could bring an 80% reciever and rent time on the mill to finish the final 20%. They had big events advertised on the radio, 100’s of people showed up, so did BATFE, and they shut that shit down….without any legal basis, other than orders from someone with distaste for what was taking place.
The fact that arbitrary rules are starting to replace Law across a broad spectrum of issues, is the most disturbing trend in modern politics. I see it picking up steam unfortunately.
Stuck- I think an FMJ would do all 20, a soft point or hollow point might not, it might have the energy but might get off course as expansion occurs.
Simon- Level III will stop 44 mag, I am sure it will hurt real bad, but the vest should stop it.
Stucky only One, John
Ottomatik;
I see this technology as being highly disruptive; desktop CNC has been around for years but the new revolution we are on the cusp of is desktop 3D printing in metal using powdered metals and laser sintering to fabricate things impossible by any other method. Of course firearms would be child’s play for such tech, and since the technology has so many dual use applications the Feds will not be able to stay ahead of it. I posit that within a matter of years one will see equipment cheap enough that someone with no knowledge of conventional machining, or even how to use a digital caliper, will be able to print a complete firearm including barrel with rifling in the privacy of their own home. Bullets and cartridge cases will ultimately be made in this manner too. If anything, most think too small when it comes to this tech. Why print a lead bullet or even a solid copper one when one can print a solid carbide core and a plastic sabot sleeve capable of easily piercing armored vehicles? For that matter, why mess around with bullets at all when one can print a M-203 for their AR-15, and print the cases for the round plus all the components that make up the grenade?
I wouldn’t stop with grenades either; if I had such a capability I would print optimized EFP discs and cases that made the most efficient use of materials while increasing the lethality and range. Printing files would be shared by anonymous Torrent and by thumb drives passed from hand to hand among the resistance. One could print suppressors, RPG-7 launchers and rockets, etc. The sky would be the limit… And the plastic explosive used in many of these warheads could easily be printed as well and extruded from similar printer-type devices. It is only a matter of time before someone comes up with a “Mister Chemistry Lab” type machine suitable for the home workshop and the ignorant and uninitiated, which is capable of manufacturing explosive compounds with almost no operator input except input of raw materials and removal of finished products…
It is exciting to see the revolution which is coming in manufacturing; all Federal controls and laws will be obsolete due to technology. But at the same time it is sad; it will destroy what is left of conventional manufacturing and it eliminates the discipline and knowledge; even the morality gained through the discipline required to learn such skills the old fashioned way. A mental and moral midget will be able to stand on the shoulders of giants and freely piss on those below…
20? No.
1? No.
Somewhere in between? Yes. heh heh
Simon- Excellent points, i have been watching that very process. Americans have long been a very independent, inventive, and industrious peoples. Ahhh the fabled garage, studios from Ford to Gates and the bewildering multitude of others. In the parts I have grown up I have seen just about everything built in the garage, the Tech revolution we are on the eve of will be a paradigm changer in so many ways, the empowerment of the individual is about to take an exponential leap forward….that is if the TPTB dont absolutely crush it with monitoring and regulation.
Stuck- The values are not clearly defined, you said 20 water ballons, you did not say they were filled with water, that was left to inference, also you did not indicate size, are they touching? How much space between them? If they were touching and smallish, I think 20 is possible, I also think if they were gigantic 1 would be possible, so…..how many?
Yes, water filled. Average/normal balloon size. There is space between them, about 4-6 inches.
In fact … it looks just like this.
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From Wiki … a 200 grain bullet fired from a .44 Magnum travels at 1,282 feet per second and has 760 ft·lbf of energy. Don’t know if that helps …
Stucky,
If it was a hollow point then I would be highly surprised if it did much more than five balloons. Full metal jacket might do ten but I do not think even a .30 rifle bullet would go through all twenty. It would be an interesting experiment though!
Keep us informed!
Ok now we have some parameters, I say between 4-6 on that set up…. i bet that 44 set up would do about 15″ of balistic gelatin so….wild ass guess.
Thanks for playing guys!!
Yup … hollow point bullet ……… and, the answer is ………….4 !!!
Video here;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=blGNsJl7Ku8
Before watching the video I guessed all 10 balloons (I made it 20 to confuse ya!).
I didn’t realize how MUCH water slows down a bullet.
Check out this Mythbusters video. A 50 fucking caliber bullet fired at you if you’re under water … you would be safe with just 14 inches of water between you and the bullet. Amazing.
I smell bullshit here. How would any shipping company know what was being shipped and why would you tell them? Why not have individual employees ship the mills out via carrier of their choice? What about DHL or any of hundreds of shipping companies like Yellow Freight, Oak Harbor Freight etc?
No doubt someone from above is putting pressure on UPS, FedEx but I’ll bet I could easily ship all 200 of those things via UPS and FedEx in spite of their ban. One more thing, I saw a program years ago (decade?) about high grade marijuana growers shipping weed, including large quantities, via UPS/FedEx. The show tracked the packages through both shipping chains and out of hundreds of packages not one was refused or undelivered. Perhaps this program brought about the end of that but I sincerely doubt it.
This seems like a publicity stunt or something designed to ATTRACT attention.
Does anyone know if it really works?
Between this and the .223 bullet thing going on .It seems like the government is worried about something.
If we had a representative government, They wouldn’t have anything to worry about. Tyrants and Kings get worried about losing their kingdoms.
I wonder what a shotgun loaded with buckshot or slugs would do?
Well, far as I am concerned, companies have the right to refuse service. For any reason they want. Legally, you cannot refuse for reasons of race, etc. but for most anything else, you can.
My only problem is if the companies are being coerced. Which is right probable. In which case those companies are steaming piles of shit for caving.
There would be heaps of freight companies that would handle the goods.
It is bullshit. Hell, the guy could drive hire someone to drive the country delivering them, for that matter. It is a big order. He could just have a yardsale – the fucking things would go like hotcakes. People could buy and hoard and make a killing on resale.
A problem for FedEx is they are expected to meet all government regulations . Those regulations are the same at federal level but very different between states ,counties and cities.FedEx could become entangled in all kinds of legal issues. That’s want they want to avoid .They will still deliver ammo
Looks like this guy wanted to get attention for his business.
SJ: “And the plastic explosive used in many of these warheads could easily be printed as well and extruded from similar printer-type devices.”
Why is a CNC or 3d printer needed for this at all?
Making the enclosure, sure I get it. But do you really want to be melting powdered metals next to explosives? Is this even the right way to put those compounds together?
Even milling would throw cast-offs hot enough to potentially set off explosives. There would need to be some serious thought given to what you propose, and even then, technical expertise would not go away overnight–like coping a floppy disk (if ever).
Not even sure which tech you were referring to? CNC or 3D printing? Since they are opposites.
Anonymous,
I was talking about explosives in the sense that they will eventually be able to be made in the home version of a chemical laboratory; something akin to a breadmaker where all the operator has to do is add the raw ingredients and remove the finished product. This has not yet been invented but I see no reason why it could not be made should the need arise. Something that could make C-4 on a small scale… The explosive brick thus produced would be the feedstock for a conventional desktop 3D printer that uses plastic as the material to be extruded. The charge for such items as explosively formed penetrators, RPG warheads, and other shaped charges would be ideal candidates for this type of printing. They would be made separately from metal components which would be made on a completely different kind of 3D printer.
Incidentally, plastic type explosive is generally insensitive and does not detonate easily, although it can be burned just like a chunk of firewood. The detonators will remain the bottleneck to any such operation, as they cannot be easily or safely produced even by industry which does it on a regular basis. Not really my area of expertise either…
The point I was trying to make was that technology which already exists can make any kind of ban impossible to enforce. All it takes is someone to get their hands on an example of a particular item and a coordinate measuring machine to digitize the item, a 3D printer, and voila, one can make as many copies as one has raw material for.
I can understand the Fedex position. Last year, they got sued for delivering drugs from overseas. They were suppose to know what was in the package without opening it. The only solution was to not hip from certain companies. That is what led up to this.