The former sergeant at arms of the U.S. Senate is warning 3D-printed plastic guns pose a serious security threat to the U.S. Capitol complex.
Terrance Gainer, who also served as chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, wrote an opinion piece for USA Today, saying the danger is real.
"To enter a building on the Capitol complex, visitors and staff must pass through a screening checkpoint run by Capitol Police," Gainer wrote. "Any kind of deadly weapon — including guns — is prohibited in the complex to ensure that members can conduct their official business without the threat of violence from those who might wish to do them harm. Unfortunately, even the most technologically advanced security cannot neutralize all possible threats."
Gainer went on to explain how plans for 3D-printed guns are now available on the Internet. A high-end 3D printer is needed to make the devices.
"The Capitol Police is constantly re-evaluating the threats facing the Capitol and the people it protects," he wrote. "But it's difficult to imagine how much worse these threats would be if plastic firearms were readily available.
"Congress does not need to wait for the State Department and should pass legislation that will stop downloadable guns from being available online. Protecting the Capitol is not a partisan issue, and I urge all members to support common sense proposals that will keep us safe."
Undetectable plastic guns were outlawed in 1988, according to the National Rifle Association.
The White House supports a delay in publishing the blueprints for 3D guns on the internet by the company Defense Distributed as the issue is further scrutinized. Still, the plans already have been downloaded hundreds of times, CNN reported.
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