3D printing has been around for some time, but as with all technology, it’s becoming cheaper and more accessible. Now, you can buy yourself a 3D printer for as low as $500, grab some drafting software for free, and create whatever you want as a physical object as long as it’s not too large. The low end printers all use thermosetting plastics while some high end printers can print with ceramics and even metals. It’s an amazing technology for sure and one that’s only limited by your imagination.

One person, going by the alias “HaveBlue,” imagined a gun.

He didn’t print an entire gun, though that’s a frightening possibility. He printed a “receiver” for an AR-15, which serves as the weapon’s frame, holding all of the operating parts in place. The receiver is also the part of the gun that carries the serial number.

Not only did his partially-homegrown assault rifle not have a serial number, it worked “perfectly” according to HaveBlue, who reportedly fired 200 rounds.

HaveBlue uploaded his digital model to multiple archives, one of which banned gun designs.

As time goes on, 3D printing will become even more affordable and the use of metals will become more common. There’s no telling what this development will do to gun control, but it’s definitely a scary situation.

via Forbes