this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
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428
This whistle fights fascists | How thousands of 3D-printed whistles are derailing ICE. (www.theverge.com)
submitted 16 hours ago by silence7@slrpnk.net to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] Cantaloupe877@lemmy.world 1 points 43 minutes ago

Has anyone heard of “3D GUN’T” software that’s apparently being put into new 3d printers? It can apparently block prints based off the shape or whatever to prevent the printing of gun parts, and keeps tabs on who printed exactly what. It’s basically DRM for 3d printers. Also laws in certain states demanding printers be legally required to start blocking gun parts. It may be the beginning of something worse as it adds the infrastructure needed to further block “bad shapes” down the road.

https://3dprint.com/314218/daring-am-software-advances-aim-to-curb-illegal-3d-printing-of-firearms/ https://printandgo.tech/blog/3d-gunt-solution-to-prevent-3d-printed-ghost-guns

[–] lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.com -2 points 30 minutes ago (1 children)

Why 3D print them? Isn't that more ecologically wasteful than just getting any of the mass-produced ones? They aren't exactly hard to come by. Fuck your wasteful printing.

[–] silverneedle@lemmy.ca 0 points 21 minutes ago (1 children)

This is incorrect, the author says that he prints whistles for 5c a pop, which is cheaper than dropshipping from China. This also implies that 3D printing whistles at home in that fashion is more productive when one doesn't live in China (or next to a whistle factory).

[–] lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 10 minutes ago

cheaper = ecologically friendlier? NOPE

[–] UltraBlack@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

Just start using lrads

[–] AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.net 18 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks for sharing this. This bolstered my spirit.

I liked the bit where it discusses how, regardless of the effectiveness of whistles in deterring ICE, they have proven to be helpful in regular people feeling less alone.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 10 points 5 hours ago

We always have to remember: There are a LOT more of us than them. These whistles help us remember that.

[–] ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 130 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

Been printing them, just need some good locations to place my boxes

[–] silence7@slrpnk.net 46 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Anywhere in public is great. If you're in a place where ICE is less active, you'll want to package the whistles with instructions to alert the local rapid response hotline.

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 30 points 14 hours ago (8 children)

I've seen whistles with the number for the local rapid response hotline printed right on them. Must have been one of those fancy multi-filament printers.

[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 3 points 5 hours ago

You can do it with any 3D printer, as long as you orient the letters so they're at the top of the print, you can insert a pause in the print job just before it starts the layers with the letters. Then you do a manual filament swap and resume the print.

Another option is to print a QR code on them with a link to instructions/the organization.

[–] Septimaeus@infosec.pub 9 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Heat stamping might be quickest alternative. Should be rugged and aid low-vision use.

Full brass letterpress type sets and die can be pricy, but the cheap leather iron kits at craft shops commonly include small metal alphanumeric types that could be set (clamped) and affixed to your stamp (burning/soldering iron or pliers + hot plate/stove).

[–] pupbiru@aussie.zone 4 points 4 hours ago

if it’s not multicolour then you can just make the printer leave indents for the letters (or print extra material to have it raised)

no need for post processing or extra equipment which slows down the process and adds extra work

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[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 5 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Which STL do you prefer?

[–] ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 9 points 7 hours ago

This is the one I used, it's quickish and prints well at 18 at a time. Figured it would be comfortable to hold.

https://www.printables.com/model/1493196-nice-whistle-1

[–] MedicPigBabySaver@lemmy.world 5 points 8 hours ago

Ty. Keep it up!

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 9 points 10 hours ago (2 children)

i mean, if we're printing whistles why ain't we printing death whistles

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 3 points 1 hour ago

They take forever to print and use a lot of filament.

They're printing liberty ships, not cruise ships.

[–] Kissaki@feddit.org 1 points 1 hour ago

I think they'd be great for distraction and irritation, but at the same time, they're not as god for signaling and alarming, and, I would imagine, would desensitize us to human screams.

[–] knobbysideup@sh.itjust.works 70 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (5 children)

They are armed. You should be too. And wear protective gear. They've permanently blinded people on purpose. They've already executed people in the street. Notice they aren't near anyplace where bpp is active.

An alarm won't stop a break in, and a whistle won't stop these goons from harming you.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Ironic. If you want to reduce crime, invite the Black Panthers to keep the ICE Apes away.

[–] Mic_Check_One_Two@reddthat.com 3 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (1 children)

I mean, the Black Panthers started because people realized that peaceful unarmed protests would be violently busted, but peaceful heavily armed protests were politely watched from across the street. Blindfiring into crowds is a lot less appealing for cops when the entire crowd can return fire.

[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 1 points 58 minutes ago

Power only respects power. Always has been that way.

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 75 points 15 hours ago

a whistle won't stop these goons from harming you.

No it will not, but it will alert everyone around you to ICEs presence so they can have an opportunity to be somewhat prepared.

You'll at least give your neighbours a chance to put some pants on, hide, barricade, or even arm themselves; before ICE tries to kick in their door.

It also calls others to your aid; quickly forming mob that out numbers ICE, forcing them to focus on crowd control instead of targeted kidnapping.

[–] aBundleOfFerrets@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 hours ago (2 children)

What is bpp?

[–] chaogomu@lemmy.world 7 points 10 hours ago

I'll assume it's the Black Panther Party.

[–] thr0w4w4y2@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 hours ago

black panthers

[–] silence7@slrpnk.net 25 points 13 hours ago

Intentional deescalation does more right now than having the people closest to ICE or Border Patrol agents carrying weapons.

The standard for now is that responders with guns stay back to deter massacres.

[–] knobbysideup@sh.itjust.works 11 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

You both make good points, but prevention is better than de-escalation or alerting. Being known as protected is a preventative measure.

Of course alarms/monitoring and response (de-escalation) are very important. But stopping it before it starts should get attention as well.

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 22 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Not everyone can afford big guns and heavy armor; nor have the training/licensing required to cary/display them.

3D printed whistles are a cheap and easy aid. Every bit of resistance helps.

[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 7 points 5 hours ago

nor have the training/licensing required to cary/display them.

Exactly.

Recommending that random untrained people go around armed is a recipe for disaster (see: ICE's random untrained people going around armed). It's irresponsible, at best.

I read these people as if they're calling for violence but trying to skirt the line in a way that doesn't get them banned.

[–] vladmech@lemmy.world 56 points 15 hours ago

Really cool article and movement, thanks for sharing it. I’ve been printing whistles and leaving them in my little free library but had no idea there was this nation wide movement going on.

[–] BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world 30 points 15 hours ago (7 children)

real ones know what I'm getting at here.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 6 points 9 hours ago

Bub Rubb!

I can hear him sayimg woooowooooo

[–] LOLseas@lemmy.zip 10 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

"Dats only in the mornaing. You suhposta be up, cooking breakfast by then, so- that's like an alarm clock! WooWOOOOOOO!"

Wonder what Bubb Rubb and Lil Sis are up to in 2026.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 7 points 10 hours ago

still putting whistle tips on for the people

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