Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Eighteen months after demonstrating that he could make a 3D-printed gun, Cody Wilson announced Wednesday that his nonprofit group, Defense Distributed, has now moved on to simplifying the process of manufacturing traditional metal guns.
Defense Distributed is now selling a $1,200 computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) mill—dubbed the "Ghost Gunner"—that can complete an unfinished lower receiver for an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle as part of a limited pre-order. While designed to mill an AR-15 lower, the CNC could theoretically mill anything of a similar size.
Wilson's new Ghost Gunner makes home gunsmithing faster, cheaper, and more portable than ever before.
Now, the total cost of semi-finished lower, a parts kit, an upper, a magazine, and the Ghost Gunner costs around $2,000—not a significant savings over buying the whole thing lock, stock, and barrel—but many hobbyists are excited at the opportunity. The price is expected to rise to at least $1,500 in 2015. As of this writing, Wilson had already sold 38 as part of that $1,200 pre-order.
The Ghost Gunner name is a jab at California State Senator Kevin De León, who introduced a bill that would have banned the sale, manufacture, purchase, and trafficking of untraceable "ghost guns" unless they were pre-registered with the Department of Justice through a serial number and gun owner background check. However, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the bill on Tuesday. (De León's office did not immediately respond to Ars' request for comment.)