A national ban on plastic guns is due to expire on Monday and officials are worried about what could happen if Congress doesn’t renew the legislation.
Plastic guns, which can be produced using a 3D printer, go unnoticed by metal detectors and can pose a real threat if they end up on the streets, according to Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph Gaudett.
“To have to face the prospect of an undetectable weapon is a big fear of law enforcement,” said Gaudett.
Connecticut legislators are also concerned about what could happen if Congress fails to act, and although they’re hoping to tighten restrictions by pushing through an amendment, they acknowledge that some protection is better than none.
“At the very least, we need to maintain the protections that we’ve had on the books,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, adding, “We understand it’s more important to get an extension of the existing legislation than to argue over new provisions.”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation supports the “clean” reauthorization of the Undetectable Firearms Act but is pushing back against the possibility of amending the ban.
Murphy said he remains hopeful that Congress will reauthorize the ban on Monday.
