Look who now has a license to manufacture firearms! The work begins!
– Cody Wilson, Defense Distributed

Controversial 3D printed guns maker Defense Distributed has attained a license to manufacture guns. An image of the Type 7 license was published on Defense Distributed’s Facebook page along with a note that said “The work begins!” This license allows the company to sell the parts they have been manufacturing, such as components for automatic weapons as well as its potential “Wiki Weapon.”

There has been much debate on the topic:

• MakerBot pulled plans for gun parts from Thingiverse following the Newton school shootings
• Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) is looking to introduce legislation to prohibit 3D printing of gun parts
• Chris Anderson weighs in saying “3D printing is a terrible technology for the working components of a gun.”

Here’s the original launch video for Defense Distributed, now with over 1 million views.