Facebook is beginning to ban pages from its platform that share instructions for the construction of 3D-printed firearms.
“Sharing instructions on how to print firearms using 3D printers is not allowed under our Community Standards,” a Facebook spokesman told The Hill on Thursday. “In line with our policies, we are removing this content from Facebook.”
Lawmakers have called for the ban of 3D-printed firearms and on July 31 a federal judge in Seattle, U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik, issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the release of blueprints, The Daily Caller reported.
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter July 31 that he is “looking into 3-D Plastic Guns being sold to the public. Already spoke to NRA, doesn’t seem to make much sense!”
Journalist Stephen Gutowski tweeted a statement from Chris Cox, the executive director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, the NRA’s lobbying arm, clarifying that printing 3D guns is already illegal. (RELATED: Gun Rights Activist And Shooting Survivor Battle Over 3D-Printed Guns)
“Many anti-gun politicians and members of the media have wrongly claimed that 3D printing technology will allow for the production and widespread proliferation of undetectable plastic firearms. Regardless of what a person may be able to publish on the Internet, undetectable plastic guns have been illegal for 30 years,” Cox wrote.
“Federal law passed in 1988, crafted with the NRA’s support, makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, possess, transfer, or receive an undetectable firearm,” he added.
Facebook also prohibits advertisements for firearm accessories to those under the age of 18, The Daily Caller News Foundation reported on June 18.
“We already prohibit ads for weapon sales and modifications like magazines,” the company’s business page states. “However, advertisers have been able to promote other weapons accessories, including products that are mounted on guns for the purposes of illuminating, magnifying or focusing in on (e.g. optics, flashlights) a target as well as holsters and belt accessories.”
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