It's still illegal to manufacture firearms for others without a license.
A Sacramento, California man was sentenced Thursday to over three years in prison for unlawful manufacture of a firearm and one count of dealing firearms.
Last year, Daniel Crownshield, pleaded guilty to those counts in exchange for federal prosecutors dropping other charges. According to investigators, Crowninshield, known online as "Dr. Death," would sell unfinished AR-15 lower receivers, which customers would then pay for him to transform into fully machined lower receivers using a computer numerically controlled (CNC) mill. (In October 2014, Cody Wilson, of Austin, Texas, who has pioneered 3D-printed guns, began selling a CNC mill called "Ghost Gunner," designed to work specifically on the AR-15 lower.)
"In order to create the pretext that the individual in such a scenario was building his or her own firearm, the skilled machinist would often have the individual press a button or put his or her hands on a piece of machinery so that the individual could claim that the individual, rather than the machinist, made the firearm," the government claimed in its April 14 plea agreement.
So, if he taught a class in how to do it would he also then be a criminal?
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 18 2017, @12:01AM
"So, if he taught a class in how to do it would he also then be a criminal?"
Nope, he can teach/show all day long but, if he sells, gives away, or finishes the machining for someone else, he's illegal. He can teach a class and finish as many 80% recievers as he wants as long as he doesn't transfer them to someone else. (Finishing the machining process for someone is a transfer).
"Wilson does not take payment for milling nor does he transfer milled firearms."
Doesn't matter. Transferring a firearm does not mean selling, it means physically giving it to someone. If you buy a gun mail order, the gun HAS TO BE shipped to a FFL holder. That FFL holder HAS TO run a background check on you (even though it's already your gun). If you fail that background check and he gives you the gun, he's guilty of illegally transferring a firearm.
Same at gun shows (which is why the "Gun Show Loophole" is a complete lie).