ASU’s ‘The Beam’ launches first investigation on 3D weapons

A new investigation found the growth of 3D-printed weapons is an unexpected threat to schools and law enforcement.

The investigation was led by The Beam, a brand new multimedia, accountability news initiative based at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The reporting is led by professional journalists in residence, supported by student apprentices in a teaching hospital model.

Mark Greenblatt, Executive Editor, and Alice Driver, investigative reporter from The Beam, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the safety risks these weapons pose to schools.

“It’s really an expanded version of the teaching hospital model that the Cronkite School is really known for,” Greenblatt said, “…we want to take student apprentices and give them some experience working with really talented professional investigative reporters…to give them a chance to sort of warm up to being around very serious investigative reporting.”

Greenblatt emphasized that The Beam is investigative journalism that is relevant to Arizona and beyond, while also incorporating AI tools to help others navigate.

“I’m really interested in emerging technology issues because there are so many policies that are not necessarily in place to address issues like 3D printed weapons,” Driver discussed, “…these are weapons that can be used to, you know, they have the same capabilities as other weapons.”

According to Driver, experts had stated that while the item may be made of plastic, it still has the capability of stabbing someone.

“You can hurt others, and so it needs to be taken seriously and addressed with transparency,” Driver explained, “…which is really the point of the article to get schools talking about these issues.”

Greenblatt is optimistic about the program, emphasizing collaboration with others to do stories on education that can’t be conducted alone.

“…we’re hopeful that by training accountability reporters on this problem,” Greenblatt said, “…that we might make a dent.”