Senate Democrats introduced legislation on Tuesday to prohibit blueprints for 3D printed guns from being posted online.
The legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Bill Nelson
Clarence (Bill) William NelsonThe abandoned American Poll: Nelson and Scott tied in Florida Senate race Bill Nelson gears up campaigning as he seeks to prove naysayers wrong MORE (D-Fla.), comes as Defense Distributed is planning to publish digital blueprints on its website at midnight. Some of the blueprints, though, are already available online.
The Democratic legislation would make it illegal to publish with intent a digital file that programs a 3D printer to manufacture a firearm.
“These 3D-printed plastic firearms can evade our detection systems and are a direct threat to our national security,” Nelson told reporters during a press conference. “And we are going to let these go up on the internet tonight at midnight?”
In addition to legislation banning the publishing of 3D printed gun blueprints, Democrats have also introduced legislation to ban "ghost guns" by requiring at least one main component in a gun be made of metal and for the gun to have a serial number.
But it's unlikely that Congress will take action before the midnight deadline.
Democrats, instead, used Tuesday's press conference to urge President Trump
Donald John TrumpNorth Korea to cooperate with US in nuclear talks: report Nike to air Kaepernick ad during 'Thursday Night Football: report Brothel owner who won Nevada GOP primary being investigated over sexual assault allegations MORE to intervene before the deadline.
Sen. Ed Markey
Edward (Ed) John MarkeyLawmakers offer support for McCain after he discontinues cancer treatment GOP on heels after Cohen plea, Manafort conviction Graham says Mueller probe 'not a witch hunt' MORE (D-Mass.) called the 3D printed guns the "ultimate gun loophole."
"It doesn't make any sense ... that your Justice Department and your State Department agreed to make 3D guns available to the public," he added.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) picked up a poster comparing a gun and a 3D printed gun adding: "Coming to a theater near you. Coming to a school near you."
"These ghost guns are a menace. The failure to ban them will mean blood on the hands of officials who have that responsibility. I call on the Trump administration now to do the right thing," he said.
Trump said in a tweet earlier Tuesday that he was "looking into" 3D printed guns.
"I am looking into 3-D Plastic Guns being sold to the public," he said in a tweet. "Already spoke to NRA, doesn’t seem to make much sense!"
The administration has come under criticism for settling with a gun rights activist last month over the distribution of 3D firearm blueprints. Defense Distributed sued the government in 2015 after the State Department forced all instruction manuals to be removed from the internet.
Several states filed a lawsuit on Monday to block the Trump administration from allowing criminals and terrorists to access downloadable plans for 3D printed weapons that are untraceable and undetectable.
Though the House is out of town until September, Reps. Seth Moulton
Seth Wilbur MoultonSenate Dems introduce bill to block release of 3D printed gun blueprints States sue Trump administration to block 3D printed guns Dem rep: I'm not going to challenge Pelosi, but we need 'new generation of leadership' MORE (D-Mass.) and Houes Democratic Policy and Communications Committee co-chairman David Cicilline
David Nicola CicillineSunday shows preview: Trump legal scrutiny in spotlight Senate Dems introduce bill to block release of 3D printed gun blueprints States sue Trump administration to block 3D printed guns MORE (D-R.I.) planned to introduce a bill during Tuesday’s pro forma session to prohibit the manufacturing or possession of a 3D printed gun that’s made of plastic.
