Newtown Action Alliance Seeks Ban on 3D Gun Files

NEWTOWN, CT -- The Newton Action Alliance joined with over 50 other anti-gun violence advocacy groups imploring President Donald Trump to forbid the release of downloadable files for 3-D guns.

Earlier this month, non-profit organization Defense Distributed accepted a settlement offer from the U.S. State Department in their 5-year-long dispute with the government over gun file distribution. This effectively has freed up that company, and others, to distribute data files which may be used by a 3D printer to create plastic firearms without serial numbers, or "ghost guns."

"Unless you stop the U.S. State Department from authorizing this special exemption for Defense Distributed, you are enabling terrorists, criminals, domestic abusers, and other prohibited firearm purchasers to use the downloadable gun technology," the letter, released to the press by NAA spokesman John Kelley, read in part. "They would be able to print plastic guns that are undetectable by metal detectors at the White House and other government buildings, airports, office buildings and schools."

Ghost gun advocates, who commonly hold "build parties" where equipment, files and expertise are shared, uphold that anonymous gun ownership is protected as a right of privacy. They point out that ghost guns are rarely used in crimes, likely due to the difficulty and skill involved in making them.

Local anti-gun violence group Sandy Hook Promise was a co-signer of the letter.

Image via Shutterstock