Bar on 3D-Printed Gun Plans Stands as Appeal Fizzles

Two gun-advocacy groups can’t appeal a ruling that prevented publication of 3D-printed firearm blueprints online because their suit is moot, the Ninth Circuit ruled.

There is no relief the federal courts can give Defense Distributed, which sought to post the plans, the Second Amendment Foundation, and individual advocate Conn Williamson, the appeals court said Tuesday in a three-paragraph order.

The Obama administration blocked Defense Distributed’s effort for years on the grounds that publication of the files would violate an arms-export law. The State Department reversed course in June 2018 and gave Defense Distributed the green light under a settlement agreement ...