That manufacturer is 3D print company Stratasys, which confiscated one of its devices, a uPrint SE, from 24-year-old University of Texas undergraduate Cody Wilson.

Wilson, a founder of Defense Distributed – a group that aims to produce a "fully-printable gun comprised of near 100% printable parts" to disseminate online, was thwarted due to his lack of a federal firearms manufacturers’ licence, which Stratasys reasoned made his printed project illegal.

Assuming Wilson manages to resurrect his 3D printing plans, he already has his eyes on a follow-up product: ammo. "3D printable ammunition would be a joy to pursue," he said.

So, Stetsons off to the good folks at Stratasys for helping to keep the lid of this particular pandora’s box closed for at least a while longer.

Got a hair-raising print story? Email pamela.mardle@haymarket.com