Could this e-reader case be mistaken for a firearm?

Is an e-reader case as risky as a Glock 19?

Recently, a creator from Louisville, Kentucky, named Luke The Maker unveiled a quirky, 3D-printed case designed to resemble a pistol for the minimalist Xteink X4 e-reader. The X4 sits vertically on the plastic gun’s slide, with a side cutout for button access. While the design mimics a real firearm, this “case” is completely harmless—pulling the trigger does nothing. Luke has dubbed his creation the “Gundle.”

In a video showcasing this unusual accessory, Luke can be seen flipping through classic novels like Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye before casually tossing the gun-shaped e-reader case into his car’s center console. The clip humorously declares it “the perfect e-reader for public reading.”

Despite the playful nature of this project, it raises concerns about future 3D printing regulations. Lawmakers in several states are advocating for laws that would require gun-blocking software on all new printers. This emerging technology aims to scan files before printing, determining if they resemble firearms. If a design is flagged as gun-like, the printer would halt the job. However, the feasibility of such technology is still under debate, with experts in New York and California assessing its practicality. Legislation mandating this tech has already been enacted in New York and has passed California’s state assembly.

While this may seem reasonable, makers and industry experts have expressed concerns about the technology’s current limitations, which could lead to false positives—blocking non-gun items that merely look gun-like. Luke’s e-reader case falls into this ambiguous category. He didn’t create the Gundle specifically to challenge these laws, but he has voiced his skepticism about them.

“I’m not in favor of that kind of thing because I’m a big proponent of open software,” Luke states. “It’s a wild frontier right now, so I definitely don’t trust [gun blueprint scanning tech] at this point.” He adds, “If people want to 3D print a gun, they’re going to do it. I don’t think it’s up to the people making the slicers to control that.”

Those advocating for these mandates have not clarified whether their proposed technology would prevent Luke from creating a harmless case. A spokesperson for the governor’s office emphasized a focus on public safety and reducing gun violence, stating that the law relies on expert evaluations to address the threat of ghost guns and untraceable firearms.

Cliff Braun, an associate director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, has criticized California’s proposal, noting that it’s uncertain whether the system would flag Luke’s design. While the technology exists, it’s still in a “limited form.” Critics argue that a cautious detection system relying on known firearm hashes could easily be bypassed by minor design alterations. Conversely, an AI-based approach that analyzes file geometry might be more prone to errors, potentially flagging harmless items that resemble guns. Lawmakers are leaving the specifics to expert panels, but Braun warns that the final implementation will face a trade-off between false positives and negatives.

“The intent of the law is not to block prints like this, but I think this print is a really good example of why that’s hard,” Braun explains.

Handguns, like the one Luke modeled his design after, present unique challenges. In 2022, the ATF clarified that only specific parts of a firearm require serial numbers, which complicates the identification of handguns. The frame, which requires a serial number, is visually ambiguous and can resemble various objects, from water hoses to toy guns.

Solomon Diamond, an engineering professor at Dartmouth College, notes that whether Luke’s e-reader case gets flagged depends on the printer’s technology. A conservative hashing approach would likely fail since the case wouldn’t match any prohibited file hashes. However, a system using AI to assess visual resemblance could mistakenly flag it.

“Basing blocking tech on visual resemblance is where the false positive concerns arise because a prop and a real functional firearm resemble one another,” Diamond explains. He suggests that a third option, “geometric identification,” could effectively differentiate designs, theoretically achieving a zero false-positive rate. This method is still in its infancy regarding 3D print blocking tech.

3D printer manufacturers and the experts defining the standards for blocking software face a complex decision. They must balance effective gun detection with the technical feasibility of implementation, which may inadvertently restrict the creative expression of makers, hobbyists, and artists.

“If you’re going to try and block all of those wonderfully creative humans, you’re going to make it very hard to print props or make social commentary,” Braun warns.

Luke found the process of creating the Gundle straightforward. He searched online for “free gun model” and found blueprints for the gun shell part of the case. He then used Fusion 360, his preferred modeling software, to add the e-reader and build the case around it. The Xteink X4 is an affordable e-reader with a dedicated community that continually works to enhance its functionality. Once the design was complete, Luke sent it to his Bambu Lab H2D printer, completing the entire process in under 24 hours.

Despite its harmlessness, Luke hasn’t taken the Gundle out in public. He has published the design files on his website, allowing anyone with a 3D printer to create their own. However, he approached this decision with caution, aware that the case’s appearance could lead to dangerous misunderstandings if seen in public or during a police encounter. After discussing it with his wife, he opted to avoid larger platforms to limit its exposure, ensuring that interested individuals could still find it without it becoming widely available.

“I didn’t want it to be so publicly available,” Luke explains. “I just didn’t want tons of them out there.”

There’s also uncertainty about whether carrying the case would violate existing federal laws requiring distinctive markings on look-alike firearms. These “orange tip laws” mandate that toy guns and airsoft guns have bright orange tips to distinguish them from real firearms. However, the e-reader case is more of an art project than a toy or fake gun.

If he ever decides to take it out, Luke plans to print a version in a different color to clarify that it’s not a real weapon. This precaution isn’t unwarranted; carrying something that resembles a gun can lead to dangerous situations. Historical incidents, such as the tragic shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice by police in 2014, highlight the risks associated with realistic-looking toy weapons.

Proponents of blueprint scanning mandates argue that they are essential for closing enforcement gaps that allow individuals with felony convictions to access firearms. Existing laws against the manufacture and sale of 3D-printed ghost guns are difficult to enforce since printing often occurs in private homes. The governor has referred to this issue as the “plastic pipeline,” warning of criminals producing guns in their homes. Mandating scanning software would shift the responsibility to printer manufacturers, preventing illegal firearms from being created.

The necessity of such a significant change in printer technology due to the threat of 3D-printed guns remains a topic of debate. While the performance of these guns is improving, they still represent a small fraction of the total firearms collected at crime scenes. In 2025, the NYPD reported seizing over 5,200 illegal guns, while the total number of firearms in the U.S. is estimated to exceed the population.

Luke believes that 3D-printed guns are not an immediate threat, viewing them as primarily the domain of hobbyists and enthusiasts. He argues that acquiring a real gun is still much easier than printing one.

“3D printing is too much of a pain in the ass,” he says.

If legislation similar to New York’s or California’s reaches Kentucky, Luke is prepared to adapt, whether through VPNs or other workarounds. He’s likely not alone in this sentiment.

“Some companies will implement those restrictions, but I think open-source software will always prevail,” Luke concludes.