Farivar, C. (2013, March 1). ArsTechnica.ArsTechnica. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/03/download-this-gun-3d-printed-semi-automatic-fires-over-600-rounds/
The article is coverage of the AR-15 lower receiver that has brought Defense Distributed to the forefront of 3D printing. It shows the durability of the item and how far it can be stretched based on their technology. The article also discusses the items legality and the far reach this blueprints have created.
I selected this article because it shows that these items, if made the right way, can be fearsome. The article starts specifically about the lower receiver, but then broadens when it moves on to the legality and its distribution. How the article relates to the conflict is blatant, but there is nothing I would add to the article. It covers the fragility of the item and just how easily broken the earlier iterations were.
Farivar, C. (n.d.). ArsTechnica. ArsTechnica. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/07/worlds-first-fully-3d-printed-rifle-made-in-canada-fired-a-single-shot/
This article covers the short, but fascinating story of a man named Matt, or better known as “CanadianGunNut.” It shows how wide spread the influence of Cody Wilson’s work and how this issue is just one action shy of becoming an international issue. However, an amendment to this that is worth noting is that Matt now has acquired the necessary licenses to cease the behest of the Canadian Government.
I chose this article because it is an example of how wide the influence of one man can go. Matt actually is quoted as stating that he was inspired by the AR-15 lower reciever and Liberator Pistol published by Cody Wilson. The article very specifically focuses on what has happened thus far with Matt. However, a simple update on what has happened would be very much appreciated and would be the only thing I would change
Greenberg, A. (2013, May 5). Meet The ‘Liberator’: Test-Firing The World’s First Fully 3D-Printed Gun. Forbes. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/05/05/meet-the-liberator-test-firing-the-worlds-first-fully-3d-printed-gun/
This article covers the story of the Liberator handgun. It covers it from its first test fire, to the last update to it from Defense Distributed themselves. The article shows what the determination of some can result in. The only thing I wish the article would do is update the article to show just how many variants have been released by fans of Defense Distributed and how far they have gone.
I chose this article for very obvious reasons; a detailed, up-to-date account of the most controversial item of all that I have come across. And thus, I can say without a doubt, I would add nothing to this article at all. I also really enjoy its focus on the creation of the Liberator and what happened from that point forward.
Morelle, R. (2013, June 5). Working gun made with 3D printer. BBC News. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22421185
Before I get too into this, I must state that I absolutely love using the BBC as a source of my daily news. Now, this article s on the same topic as the previous article from Forbes, but from the perspective of an international party. It shows that the this is not only a controversial series of events, but also shows that the this is an expensive and well fought over issue both internationally and domestically.
I chose this because I felt that including an international perspective on an issue like this is key. I would not add anything to this issue, but must applaud it for showing a good perspective of a 3rd party looking in on an issue. It shows how others that have minimal current involvement in this issue perceive an issue on a topic such as this.
Letter From Department of State to Defense Distributed. (2013, March 8).Scribd. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.scribd.com/doc/140650957/Letter-From-Department-of-State-to-Defense-Distributed
This item is unlike the rest of the articles in this list, for this is a primary source in its purist form. This is a letter from the Department of State to Defense Distributed stating that they are to take down a specific list of files while the DOS figures out the legality and intellectual property coverage that Defense Distributed possesses. This is one of the best pieces of first hand accounting for the conflict.
I chose this because it showed how far the State Department went to try to halt Defense Distributed while the legality was still being figured out. And, as the articles will show, the legality is still being discussed. I can’t say I would like to see anything changed, because you cannot edit a document like this. I feel an article like this that provides a control style point of view is what I find perfect amidst this sea of neutral articles that I have found.
Beckhusen, R. (2013, February 13). New 3-D Printed Rifle Magazine Lets You Fire Hundreds of Rounds. Wired.com. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/02/printed-magazine/
This article was chosen because this is one of the less talked about items in question. The article discusses the now infamous 30 round magazine known as the “Cuomo Mag”, which is a shot at Governor Cuomo. It is short, but shares how the article shows that the item will easily be distributed and the magazine is in fact very durable.
I chose this article because it shows how quickly a very dangerous object can be ignored by the “bigger fish in the sea.” I would like to see added how, even though when this was published the Liberator was created, the fact that a functioning 30 round magazine has been created. I feel that this article is fairly informative, but only serves to be just that: informative.
Information Literacy: Conflicts 