New York State takes steps to ban 3D-printed guns — proposal requires 3D printer manufacturers to prevent weapon printing
This will not stop ghost guns, but it will at least make them harder to acquire.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced new legislation that will force 3D printer manufacturers to stop their machines from printing guns and gun parts. According to 3D Printing Industry, the bill will help reduce the spread of ghost guns — unserialized firearms produced in home shops or unregistered factories — that are difficult to trace. The proliferation of 3D printers and readily available 3D files can allow even someone without experience to print their own gun for less than $200.
“From the iron pipeline to the plastic pipeline, these proposals will keep illegal ghost guns off of New York streets and enhance measures to track and block the production of dangerous and illegal firearms in our state,” the governor said. Aside from mandating 3D printer safeguards, the proposed law will also make sharing and possession of 3D files containing guns or gun components, unless the person handling them is authorized to do so. It also included a provision that requires gun manufacturers to make it difficult to give semi-automatic pistols automatic-fire capabilities using 3D printed parts.
The State government made this proposed legislation after a string of high-profile incidents involving 3D printed guns, including the 2024 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg conceded that this requirement to stop 3D printers from printing firearms and making the sharing of 3D files for guns and their components illegal will not solve the problem of ghost guns.
Nevertheless, he said that these measures would make them more difficult to acquire. “These illegal firearms are being manufactured in homes and used in crimes right now, which is why I have been working with my colleagues in Albany and the private sector over the past several years to stop their proliferation,” Bragg said. “Passing these measures will reduce crime and strengthen public safety for all New Yorkers.”
This proposal is expected to hit opposition, though, especially from pro-gun advocates. One of the arguments against this is that targeting gun manufacturing will not reduce violent crime, and the government should instead focus on societal issues that cause gun violence in the first place.
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Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.
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bill001g They have massive amounts of laws related to real guns that have made no difference. I wonder how many of these 3d printed guns used in crime they have. You have to be very careful about stats from new york. They call lots of things ghost guns not just things that come from 3d printers. They forget criminals are criminals because they don't follow laws.Reply