I keep reading over and over how illegality won’t stop anyone and we can just take XYZ action to hide or adapt. Yes, we can, we will - but remember:
You may not be a criminal by default today but the reality of criminalizing knowledge, having a skillset or owning a manufacturing device with 99.99% legal use cases should invoke a rejectionist mindset. I was interviewed by the FBI under the authority of the Patriot Act way back because I possessed ‘concerning, behavior patterns.’ What was I doing? I was researching the history of Afganistan, how we got to where we were. Which lead to the evolution of their tactics and where they learned them, who supplied them. Did I mention I was in college? Computer Skills+Loner Mentality+Interest in the events leading to the state of things at the time.
I digress–
I am currently developing a 100% mechanical solar tracking system for large solar panel poles. Sealed gearbox, adaptive to active sunlight.
I have to machine parts meaty enough to not be delicate or bind in extreme temperatures and wouldn’t you know it, I have a sort of helical piston whose housing sure looks an awful lot like a large rifle suppressor. You, we, I, shouldn’t have to worry about the government visiting a home over proprietary parts development. And this is just a single relevant example.