New Jersey attorney general and defense firm in legal firefight over 3D-printed guns

Rodrigo Torrejon | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Printable guns are Trump's fault, Democratic senators say At a news conference July 31, 2018, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bob Menendez blamed President Donald Trump's administration for guns that could be downloaded and printed.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal filed a lawsuit Monday in an attempt to stop the release of computer files by a company that publishes instructions for untraceable 3D-printed guns.

Grewal filed the lawsuit in Superior Court in Essex County, saying in a statement that Defense Distributed's website would violate the internet Acceptable Use Policy. He initially sent out a cease-and-desist letter to the Austin, Texas, non-profit defense company.

“These dangerous files would allow anyone — including terrorists, domestic abusers, felons, fugitives, and juveniles — to print untraceable assault weapons using a 3D printer from the comfort of their own homes,” Grewal said in a statement. "Once Defendants open that Pandora’s box, it can never be closed.”

Defense Distributed filed a lawsuit Sunday against Grewal and Los Angeles District Attorney Michael Feuer after both officials attempted to block the firm from publishing instructions for 3D-printed guns online.

Grewal's July 26 letter spelled out some of the potential harm to the state.

"Worst of all, you are going to make the codes available to everyone — regardless of age, criminal status, or history of mental illness," he wrote. "That would undermine New Jersey’s comprehensive scheme for keeping guns out of dangerous criminals’ hands, and it would undermine the safety of our residents."

In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of State, Defense Distributed would be allowed to publish computer-aided design instructions for the printing of guns at home using 3D printers. The guns would be untraceable, requiring no serial number, and undetectable, as they could be made of non-metal materials.

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Downloadable, printable guns are coming to a home near you After a settlement between the State Department and a Texas-based firearm developer Defense Distributed, the nonprofit will be able to release blueprints for guns online starting in August.

Grewal threatened legal action if the firm made public any instructions after Aug. 1, a timeline outlined in the settlement agreement with the State Department.

"Grewal and Feuer have threatened and intend to drag Defense Distributed before all manner of far-flung criminal and civil tribunals in an effort to silence the organization," Defense Distributed and the Second Amendment Foundation, a non-profit that supports gun rights, wrote in the suit. "Alas these state and municipal officers from across the country cannot veto Defense Distributed’s constitutionally protected and federally licensed speech."

New Jersey politicians have already begun to speak out against Defense Distributed's plans, including Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez.

"I understand that despite its ability to stop this ridiculous notion, the State Department is about to allow internet posting of do-it-yourself 3D-printable firearm blueprints," Menendez said at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Thursday. “Why on Earth would the Trump administration make it easier for terrorists and gunmen to produce undetectable plastic guns?"

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Long Branch, announced that he would introduce the “3-D Firearms Prohibition Act” in an attempt to outlaw the production of 3D firearms.

Yesterday, @DefDist sued me for trying to keep untraceable guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals. So be it. I’m not backing down on public safety. https://t.co/ayaF8AzWHM — Gurbir S. Grewal (@GurbirGrewalNJ) July 30, 2018

On Monday, Grewal doubled down on his opposition to Defense Distributed's plans to publish the instructions, responding to a tweet from Cody Wilson, Defense Distributed's founder.

"I'm not backing down on public safety," Grewal tweeted.

Update: On Tuesday, President Trump chimed in.

I am looking into 3-D Plastic Guns being sold to the public. Already spoke to NRA, doesn’t seem to make much sense! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 31, 2018

Email: torrejon@northjersey.com

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