Do you think everyday Americans should be able to own small samples of strategic or tech-critical metals?
Posted by Ok_Conference_2617@reddit | Libertarian | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Not talking about industrial quantities — more like collectible pieces of metals that are essential to modern tech and national security (gallium, germanium, neodymium magnets, etc.).
Some argue it increases awareness of how dependent the U.S. is on foreign supply chains.
Others say it’s pointless unless you’re a manufacturer.
What’s your take?
EnderWiggin42@reddit
I have been affected by the restrictions put in place on the export of gallium and bismuth from china. I had been waiting on a BGO crystal but we ended up substituting Thallium doped cesium iodide.
Yes, you should be able to own damn near anything.
genegx@reddit
Wouldn’t that be a restriction by China not the US? As far as I know, there are no US laws that prevent people from owning mineral samples or metal samples of any kind. As you indicated the problem might be in getting them exported from countries that don’t allow them to be exported..
EnderWiggin42@reddit
Correct, that was an export restriction put in place by China
rawldo@reddit
I think everyday Americans should be able to own industrial quantities if that is what they want to do. None of my business what you got cooking in your garage.
Gwaenna@reddit
As a libertarian, the obvious answer is that people should be free to collect whatever materials they wish as long as they're not harming others. These metals aren't radioactive or dangerous in small quantities.
Beyond the freedom aspect, there's educational value in owning physical examples of critical materials. Holding a neodymium magnet and experiencing its strength firsthand teaches more than reading about rare earth metals in an article. Collection creates natural interest in supply chains, mining practices, and geopolitical dependencies.
I've collected samples of several tech metals over the years. My germanium piece sparked my interest in semiconductor history, while my small gallium sample (which melts in your hand!) led me down a rabbit hole about
AlgernonIlfracombe@reddit
Should an everyday person be able to own oil?
Ziggity_Zac@reddit
Yes.
TheBigNoiseFromXenia@reddit
Libertarian sub, so yes, own whatever you want. The one caveat I have is that improper storage or handling of highly radioactive (or otherwise poisonous) materials that would endanger others is a violation of the NAP.
Raddz5000@reddit
Fed shouldn't limit ownership of metallic alloys like that, no real reason. That's dumb. You can basically buy any alloy so long as it isn't proprietary IP to whatever company owns said IP. Most of aerospace and defence use pretty standard alloys anyways. Some products may use IP alloys but those are minorities.
natermer@reddit
They should be able to own anything they want. Including industrial quantities.
I don't really understand the point of the question.
-BigBoo-@reddit
Yes. They can have more than one use.
Wise_Ad_1026@reddit
Why make it just small quantities? Let me buy as much germanium as I want.
JagerGS01@reddit
Who decides who is a "manufacturer"? If you can afford the price, and have the desire, yes you should be able to own these things. Anything that restricts your ability to own them is government intervention in the market, and leads to either distorted pricing or crony capitalism.
StopNowThink@reddit
My neighbor should be able to own a howitzer. What do you think?
Falconbear36@reddit
If the question is should Americans be able to own (insert 99% of things in here) then the answer is yes.
naked-and-famous@reddit
How could it be any other way?
dominosRcool@reddit
Isn't this basically what people already do? Silver. Palladium. Platinum. Gold. Copper. Heck, even uranium.
timeonmyhandz@reddit
Does having a diamond change the illegal and unethical monopoly diamond trade? No.
Having some element in your sock drawer does the same.
Taxus_Calyx@reddit
Let people collect, experiment, and learn. If it raises even a bit of awareness about our fragile supply chains, that’s a win. If anything, encouraging access could align with efforts to boost domestic production and awareness. Tech dependency is a geopolitical flashpoint, demystifying these materials for the average person isn’t pointless, it’s proactive. Plus, restricting small samples would just be overkill nanny state stuff without real benefits.
randycrantz@reddit
Um. Yeah
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