A resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is facing a potential 20 years in prison for supplying another individual with hundreds of 3D printed gun components. The FBI conducted a sting operation that caught Andrew Scott Hastings, 25, in its net. Hastings apparently showed no scruples in his willingness to supply these parts to an undercover FBI agent who claimed to be an al-Qaida operative. This is an interesting case, brought to light by 3D Printing Industry news, as it pits cherished freedom of speech and gun rights against the need to protect the public from terrorist atrocities.
The formal charge that Hastings faces is “attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and for the illegal possession and transfer of a machine-gun,” according to the publication.
Tip of the iceberg
Hastings put himself on the FBI’s radar as an unscrupulous individual who promoted violence in support of global jihad through his online presence and participation in various forum discussions.
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Dealing in 3D printed gun parts was the tip of the iceberg, though, as far as Hastings’ willingness to help enemies of the U.S. went. As well as home-made gun components, the Oklahoman was happy to share “over 500 pages of personal notes and Army manuals on weapons manufacturing and military tactics,” says 3D Printing Industry. He was also allegedly interested in creating nuclear weapons, using drones, wielding cyberattacks, evading law enforcement, as well as the use of tunneling strategies made popular by the likes of Hamas.