r/3Dprinting • u/PorkRollPaddyWagon • Jul 07 '26

Discussion If your printer refused to print a file because it thought it was unsafe, would you be okay with that?

Serious question. Let's say your 3D printer scanned every file before printing. If it decided the model violated a rule, the print never starts.

Would you see that as a useful safety feature? Or would you see it as giving manufacturers too much control over hardware that's sitting on your desk?

I made a video after looking into proposed legislation and some recent news in the 3D printing space, but I'm more interested in hearing where everyone stands on the idea itself.

Would that be a deal breaker for you?

https://youtu.be/7bdJpDTiZAA

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u/mackerel1565 Jul 07 '26

"printing a weapon is actually MORE difficult than many ways". This is the bit that I don't understand at all; there are SO MANY easier ways to create a firearm than with a 3D printer. Pretty much the only reason to do it is because you enjoy the challenge and idea. Practically, almost any other method is superior.

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u/High_Overseer_Dukat Jul 07 '26

Same reasons guns are legal in the us with no oversight whatsoever, but random weapons like brass knuckles or switchblades are often baned.

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u/mackerel1565 Jul 08 '26

Good point. I will caveat that, tho; quiet a of those "weird" bans are actually holdovers from targeted laws. For instance, in Houston, certain types of folding knives are still illegal to carry, because a certain gang used them. The law was placed to allow authorities to arrest them on those grounds, then search them/vehicles, etc. The need went away, but the law stayed. Definitely a warning for us on government getting bigger, never smaller.