Settlement will allow downloadable firearm tutorials to be posted online for unlimited distribution to anyone

Washington (July 24, 2018) – In the wake of the decision by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle a lawsuit brought against the Department of State by Defense Distributed and the Second Amendment Foundation, two proponents of downloadable and undetectable guns that can be printed using 3D printers, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) this week led his colleagues in demanding answers on the reasoning behind this dangerous decision. In a stunning reversal of course last month, the Justice Department agreed to a settlement that would allow criminals and even terrorists to download 3D firearms printing tutorials. The government previously argued Defense Distributed had violated federal export controls by posting to the internet its blueprints for 3D printable firearms. The Justice Department also agreed to pay nearly $40,000 in legal fees to the plaintiffs using taxpayer dollars. In their letter, the Senators demand a copy of the settlement, along with a written explanation and briefing by August 1.

Other Senators signing the letter include Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

“This settlement is inconsistent with DOJ’s previous position and is as dangerous as it is confounding. The settlement will allow these tutorials to be posted online for unlimited distribution to anyone – including felons and terrorists – both here in the United States and abroad,” write the Senators in their letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “The American people have a right to know why their government agreed to such a dangerous outcome.”

A copy of the Senators’ letter can be found HERE.

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