Defcad is an online repository that hosted CAD files for firearms and weapon-related components. The repository gained attention for hosting 3D-printable gun designs and related files, raising legal, ethical, and safety concerns. This report summarizes history, content types, legal and policy issues, access controls, risks, and recommendations for handling or moderating an exclusive repository of Defcad-like files.
While DEFCAD’s free section contains historic and generic designs (e.g., lower receivers for AR-15 variants, Glock frames), the exclusive repository hosts the of design:
, the first fully 3D-printable plastic pistol. Within days, the files were downloaded over 100,000 times. The Great De-Platforming and Legal Exile (2013–2018)
Exclusive |work| | Defcad Files Repository
Defcad is an online repository that hosted CAD files for firearms and weapon-related components. The repository gained attention for hosting 3D-printable gun designs and related files, raising legal, ethical, and safety concerns. This report summarizes history, content types, legal and policy issues, access controls, risks, and recommendations for handling or moderating an exclusive repository of Defcad-like files.
While DEFCAD’s free section contains historic and generic designs (e.g., lower receivers for AR-15 variants, Glock frames), the exclusive repository hosts the of design:
, the first fully 3D-printable plastic pistol. Within days, the files were downloaded over 100,000 times. The Great De-Platforming and Legal Exile (2013–2018)