Is this legal in Canada? The RCMP isn’t convinced.
Say hello to the smoothbore .22 single-shot Grizzly, named after the Canadian built Shermans of World War II. It’s the world’s first 3D printed rifle; the only metal part in it is a 1 inch roofing nail firing pin. Its maker, CanadianGunNut, has tested it, and while the results weren’t all he could have hoped for – after a dozen tries it finally went off, but split the barrel all along its length – the bullet did exit the barrel. Thus a world’s first is achieved, and once CanadianGunNut has perfected his build, he intends to release the printer files and let people make their own.
“In Canada, it is illegal to manufacture or possess a firearm without appropriate licences and applicable registrations,” says RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Julie Gagnon. “The Firearms Act stipulates that individuals in possession of firearms must have a Possession Only Licence or Possession and Acquisition Licence. The RCMP does not confirm or deny who might be or not be the subject of an investigation.” But CanadianGunNut is pretty sure he’s in the clear. He has a valid Possession & Acquisition Licence, which allows him to build, but not sell, firearms. He’s even gone so far as to put in a permanent stock, thus conforming with non-restricted status; restricted firearms would need registration, but his does not.
“Took me three days to build,” says CanadianGunNut. Even if this first test was a failure, it’s not going to set him back. He says he wants to challenge himself. Before too much longer, no doubt we’ll find out whether his efforts bear fruit, with the world’s first working 3D printable rifle.
Source: Ars Technica
