In a high-stakes legal move, gun rights activist Cody Wilson, through his company Coast Runner Inc., has filed a lawsuit against crowdfunding giants Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Wilson accuses the platforms of deliberately blocking funding for his desktop milling machine, the CR-1, which can be used to create parts for firearms, including “ghost guns” that are untraceable.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, claims that the two crowdfunding platforms, along with consulting firm LaunchBoom, conspired to halt promotional campaigns for Coast Runner’s CR-1 due to Wilson’s political stance on gun rights. According to the complaint, this action violated both federal and Texas antitrust laws by restricting Coast Runner’s access to the marketplace and stifling free trade. Additionally, Wilson’s legal team asserts that the platforms interfered with existing business contracts.
Coast Runner, represented by the prestigious law firm of Judd Stone II, former Texas state solicitor general, is seeking to hold Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and LaunchBoom accountable for what they describe as anti-competitive behavior that harms both innovation and consumer choice. The lawsuit alleges that by suppressing the CR-1 campaign, these platforms are damaging the gun rights community and preventing the free flow of ideas in the market.
The CR-1 is a sophisticated desktop milling machine capable of producing precise components from various materials. While the lawsuit emphasizes that the CR-1 is not explicitly marketed for firearms, it acknowledges that the machine could be used to manufacture parts for “ghost guns.” Despite this, Wilson’s company argues that the CR-1’s design and functionality differ significantly from his previous product, the Ghost Gunner, which is designed specifically for firearms.
Wilson is a well-known figure in the gun rights movement and has previously gained attention for his advocacy of 3D printing technologies that allow individuals to manufacture firearm components at home. His past legal battles have included fighting for the right to distribute blueprints for homemade guns, leading to a series of ongoing legal challenges. Wilson’s controversial past also includes a 2019 guilty plea to child injury charges, for which he was sentenced to probation.
The lawsuit adds another layer to Wilson’s ongoing legal troubles. In May of this year, San Diego County filed a lawsuit in California state court against Coast Runner and its affiliated companies, alleging violations of state firearm laws. Coast Runner has denied all allegations.
As the legal battle continues, the industry will be watching closely. If successful, the lawsuit could set a significant precedent for how crowdfunding platforms handle controversial projects, particularly those related to firearms technology.
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