Federal judge blocks release of 3D-printed gun plans for the time being

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Federal judge blocks distribution of gun blueprints

States sue to block online blueprint of 3D-printed gun. Anita Vogel reports.

A federal judge in Seattle issued a restraining order Tuesday afternoon temporarily stopping the release of blueprints to make untraceable and undetectable 3D-printed plastic guns.

U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik issued the order a day after eight states sued the government to block a settlement reached by the Trump administration last month allowing a Texas-based company, Defense Distributed, to resume online-sharing of blueprints for the 3D firearms.

The company was set to allow downloads on Wednesday, although blueprints have been posted since Friday. The temporary restraining order blocks the release until the next scheduled hearing on August 10.

Despite reaching a settlement with the company in June, President Trump seemed to have his reservations over the technology.

"I am looking into 3-D Plastic Guns being sold to the public. Already spoke to NRA, doesn’t seem to make much sense!" he tweeted ahead of Tuesday’s ruling.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters that Trump “is committed to the safety and security of all Americans” and that he is supporting a “nearly two-decade old law” that makes it “illegal to own or make a wholly, plastic gun of any kind -- including those made on a 3D printer.”

NRA Executive Director Chris Cox doubled down on Tuesday, saying that despite what technology is shared online, “undetectable plastic guns have been illegal for 30 years.”

“Federal law passed in 1988, crafted with the NRA's support, makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, possess, transfer, or receive an undetectable firearm."

In the meantime, Congressional Democrats have urged President Trump to reverse the decision allowing Defense Distributed to publish the plans with a series of fiery statements to the media.

While the blueprints to manufacture a plastic gun using a 3D printer might be available, gun industry experts say they may not be the best options for criminals to go to the trouble of obtaining a firearm. They argue the printers needed to make the guns are very expensive, the guns themselves tend to disintegrate quickly and traditional firearms are easier to come by.

Fox News’ Adam Shaw, Bree Tracey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.