Earlier this week the Trump administration settled a five year legal dispute to allow for the legal download of 3-D printable guns as of 1st August.

The decision comes after an extended case against Texas law student Cody Wilson, who, in 2013, released digital blueprints for a single shot 3-D handgun. At the time, the designs were deemed to constitute a breach in arms export statutes and taken down after only a few days. The court case which has raged on ever since now concludes that the same files will be made legally available for download.

These weapons, which are both untraceable and unregistered, include a large number of designs for more powerful firearms, including AR-15 assault rifles, the same weapons used in the Sandy Hook and Orlando night-club shootings.

The case was finally settled in Mr Wilson’s favour on the grounds that existing gun-making manuals already exist on the market and to ban his blue print files would negate his right to freedom of speech.

This isn’t an episode of Black Mirror; this is really happening, and we need to stop it.⠀ ⠀ In a few days, anyone with a regular internet connection and a 3D printer will be able to make their own untraceable guns in just a couple clicks. We only have until Friday to stop this.⠀ ⠀ Use the link in our bio to send @SecretaryPompeo a message today to #StopDownloadableGuns. @statedept

A post shared by Everytown for Gun Safety (@everytown) on Jul 25, 2018 at 4:16pm PDT

The news has understandably startled gun control advocates, with The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence all seeking an immediate injunction.

As reported by The Guardian, Nick Suplina, managing director of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, called the settlement “incredibly dangerous”, claiming that “[it] would enable convicted felons and domestic abusers to download schematics online and print their own illegal and untraceable guns.”