The 3D printed gun controversy: Everything you need to know

The debate over 3D printed guns has hit its melting point.

The battle about how to handle blueprints for plastic guns has raged for years, but it flared up in a big way in July after the US State Department settled a legal case and let an organization called Defense Distributed go ahead and release plans online.

That prompted eight state attorneys general to sue the State Department, on Monday. The same day, 20 state attorneys general sent a letter (PDF) to the State Department and Justice Department, saying the guns should be stopped.

On Tuesday, a Seattle judge granted a temporary restraining order to block the publication of blueprints until a hearing set for Aug. 10.