A 3D-printed, pistol-shaped case for the Xteink X4 e-reader has highlighted the difficulty of requiring printers to block gun-related files. The harmless case, dubbed the “Gundle”, cannot fire and was intended as a joke or commentary, but it resembles a real firearm closely enough to raise questions about whether automated detection software could wrongly prevent its production.

The creator, Luke Blackford, says he supports open software and doubts such controls would stop people determined to print guns. New York has already enacted a requirement for gun-blocking technology on new 3D printers, while California’s Assembly has passed similar legislation, although experts are still assessing whether the technology is feasible. Supporters did not say whether their proposed systems would block this e-reader case, illustrating the risk of false positives affecting non-weapon designs.