Administration

Trump ‘looking into’ 3D plastic guns: ‘Doesn’t seem to make much sense’

Anna Moneymaker

President Trump said Tuesday that he is “looking into” 3D plastic guns, adding that he had spoken to the National Rifle Association (NRA) about them.

“I am looking into 3-D Plastic Guns being sold to the public,” he tweeted. “Already spoke to NRA, doesn’t seem to make much sense!”

The Trump administration has faced criticism over the issue after the Defense Department settled with a gun rights activist last month over the distribution of 3D firearm blueprints. The downloadable plans range from rudimentary handguns to rifles similar to an AR-15. The plans can be used by anyone with a 3D printer and minimal outside materials to create an untraceable firearm.

The president’s tweet comes a day after several states filed a lawsuit seeking to block the sale of the blueprints, calling them a threat to national security. 

{mosads}

“These downloadable guns are unregistered and very difficult to detect, even with metal detectors, and will be available to anyone regardless of age, mental health or criminal history. If the Trump Administration won’t keep us safe, we will,” said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D), who represents one of the eight states suing the Trump administration.

A judge previously blocked a lawsuit from three gun control groups over the settlement that alleged the Trump administration gave no explanation for changing a policy concerning items previously considered by the government to be a threat to national security.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Trump’s tweet was a display of “incompetence and dangerous governing.”

“Your administration approved this,” Schumer tweeted. “What kind of incompetence and dangerous governing is this? And to check with the NRA? Holy moly.”

–Updated at 10:18 a.m.

Tags 3D printed guns Chuck Schumer Donald Trump Gun control NRA Trump administration Trump tweets

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.