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A judge in the United States has overturned an agreement between a gun advocacy group and the government - which had allowed blueprints for 3D-printed guns to be distributed online.

The plastic-based firearms can be produced from downloadable blueprints, using expensive, sophisticated printers. Whilst some experts say that the finished article is often far from reliable, technological advances may soon allow people to "print" viable weapons at home.

Gun rights advocates believe the technology is democratising access to firearms, whilst those who favour restrictions on firearms are concerned about the prospect of anybody being able to print an undetectable, untraceable weapon.

(Photo: The 鈥淟iberator鈥� pistol, the first 3D-printed firearm, was created in 2013, Credit: Robert MacPherson/AFP/Getty Images)