Activist Unveils AI-Designed 3D-Printed Gun Called WASP
Cody Wilson claims his new GatGPT model can generate untraceable firearm designs, lowering the technical barrier for creating ghost guns.
Key points
- Cody Wilson unveiled the WASP, a 3D-printed handgun designed by an AI model named GatGPT.
- The AI was trained on DEFCAD’s digital gun library and can assist users in selecting parts.
- The weapon fires real bullets and lacks a serial number, complicating regulatory tracking efforts.
Gun rights activist Cody Wilson has unveiled the WASP, a 3D-printed firearm he claims is the first gun designed by artificial intelligence. According to a report by The Verge, the weapon was created using a custom AI model Wilson calls GatGPT. Wilson is known for producing the world’s first 3D-printed firearm more than ten years ago.
The WASP resembles a pistol barrel attached to a spring-loaded plastic box. Its design closely mirrors Wilson’s earlier single-shot weapon, the Liberator. The gun features an unconventional grip and a strange overall shape that only faintly resembles standard firearms. Despite its unusual appearance, the device is functional.
Wilson states that he did not just create an AI-generated gun, but rather an AI capable of generating guns. The GatGPT model was trained on the DEFCAD repository, which is described as the world’s largest online collection of digital gun files. The system can help users pick parts for their builds.
Design and Technical Context
The WASP was designed through a conversation with the AI model, a process Wilson describes as vibe-coding. The resulting firearm fires real bullets and does not carry a serial number. This lack of identification makes the weapon a "ghost gun," a category of homemade firearms that are difficult to track and regulate.
Creating 3D-printed guns has previously required manufacturers to possess specific technical knowledge. Wilson’s AI model aims to bridge that knowledge gap, potentially making it easier for individuals to produce working firearms. Mainstream AI services, such as Google Gemini, currently block requests for ghost gun designs.
Regulatory and Legal Landscape
The emergence of AI-assisted gun design raises significant concerns for lawmakers attempting to regulate homemade firearms. Ghost guns lack serial numbers, which complicates efforts to trace them after they are used in crimes. Wilson argues that firearm access is a fundamental human right.
Courts and legislatures in numerous states are currently grappling with this evolving problem. Ongoing legal battles and new legislation aim to address the proliferation of untraceable weapons. The ability of an AI to lower the barrier to entry for firearm creation adds complexity to these regulatory efforts.
What should you do?
Security professionals and law enforcement agencies should monitor developments in AI-generated design tools. Organizations should review their policies regarding the use of generative AI for hardware design. Users should be aware of the legal restrictions surrounding 3D-printed firearms in their jurisdictions.
Background: Generative AI
Generative AI examples include text completion, image synthesis and code generation. These systems predict the next likely token based on vast training datasets. Understanding the underlying mechanics helps you identify risks like data leakage and hallucination in your infrastructure.
Read the full guide: Generative AI Examples: Mechanisms, Risks and Control
What to do and how to stay safe: Cody Wilson
- Monitor official channels for updates on legislation regarding ghost guns and AI-generated designs.
- Ensure that AI systems used in professional environments have strict guardrails against generating weapon designs.
- Report any suspected manufacturing or distribution of unregistered firearms to local law enforcement authorities.
- Stay informed about the capabilities of open-source AI models that may bypass safety filters.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WASP?
The WASP is a 3D-printed handgun designed by an AI model called GatGPT, unveiled by activist Cody Wilson.
How was the AI model trained?
The GatGPT model was trained on DEFCAD, the world’s largest online repository of digital gun files.
Does the WASP have a serial number?
No, the WASP does not have a serial number, making it a ghost gun that is difficult to track.
