3D printing’s dangerous downside

Technology seen as future of manufacturing being already used to obtain designs and print assault rifles.

Capable of creating objects at the touch of a button by printing layers upon layers of plastic, metal and other materials, 3D printers could be the future of manufacturing.

However, while the printers are still in the testing phase, a downside of the new technology is already becoming apparent.

A US company has come up with a blueprint to create gun parts using a 3D printer. One can now get the designs and “print” their own AR-15 assault rifle with just a click.

Phil Lavelle reports from London.