World's first 3D-printed gun brings new concerns over gun control in U.S. (2)

Washington DC council member Tommy Wells introduced a similar proposal, and lawmakers in New York State have started to act accordingly.

"Digital manufacturing technologies hold a lot of exciting potential to make manufacturing more affordable and more accessible. But in this respect, the technology is fast outpacing the laws," Wells told the press.

"An undetectable firearm constructed on your computer may sound like science fiction, but unfortunately, it' s already here and our laws have never contemplated this scenario. These weapons create a significant and immediate threat to public safety," Wells said.

At the Federal level, U.S. Congressman Steve Israel has gone on the record to say: "Security checkpoints, background checks and gun regulations will do little good if criminals can print plastic firearms at home."

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has equated news as "stomach churning."

"Now anyone -- a terrorist, someone who is mentally ill, a spousal abuser, a felon -- can essentially open a gun factory in their garage. It must be stopped," he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile the U.S. State Department' s Office of Defense Trade Compliance has sent a letter to Defense Distributed that the files for the 3D-printable gun are now controlled by the U.S. government and it is conducting a review to see if the documents violate any regulations.

Upon receiving the letter, Defense Distributed has removed the design files for the weapons from it website.

Christopher Ferguson, chairman of the psychology and communication department at Texas A&M International University, told CNN: "Beyond a doubt, calmer heads will want to regulate these things. I'm not a lawyer, but I suspect this is one example in which technology may have raced ahead of the law," said Ferguson.

"Is Defense Distributed selling guns or information? Is this a gun control issue or a First Amendment issue? Can the printers be regulated to refuse to print weapons, or could new designs simply circumvent existing prohibited products?" Ferguson questioned.

"There are approximately 300 million guns in the U.S. If we want to reduce the number of homicides (or suicides for that matter), making it difficult to get immediate access to guns can help reduce impulsive behaviors," said Ferguson.