Everything you need to know about the world's first 3D-printed handgun

Meet "The Liberator"

The pieces of plastic gun took only four hours to print.
(Image credit: Defcad.org)

Recently, at an unnamed Texas firing range, the trigger of the world's first-ever 3D-printed handgun was pulled. The gun — nicknamed "the Liberator" — is made entirely out of plastic, save for a common hardware store nail used as a firing pin. And now, the Liberator's design is available for anyone to download for free. Here's what you should know:

How does it work?

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Chris Gayomali is the science and technology editor for TheWeek.com. Previously, he was a tech reporter at TIME. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Esquire, and The Atlantic, among other places. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.