New law could force 3D printers to have technology to block them from printing guns

New York recently enacted a law requiring 3D printers sold for home or business use to include technology preventing the printing of firearms. The measure targets the growing use of 3D-printed 'ghost guns'—untraceable weapons lacking serial numbers—in crimes, with federal data showing privately made guns recovered in crimes rising from 1,600 in 2017 to nearly 27,500 in 2023. While the law directs experts to develop firearm blueprint detection algorithms, enforcement would not begin until 2029, pending feasibility studies. California is considering a similar bill, which would also require 3D printers to analyze designs against a digital library of firearm parts before printing. The technology aims to function like an app identifying objects from uploaded images, though critics question its effectiveness and potential privacy risks. About one-third of U.S. states already regulate or ban homemade firearms, but New York’s law uniquely targets the manufacturing equipment rather than the individuals producing the guns. The 3D printing industry has expanded rapidly, with global units growing from 30,000 in 2012 to over 3 million today, valued at $26 billion annually. While printers are used for medical devices, toys, and industrial parts, they can also produce gun components using online designs. A 2024 case in New York involved a suspected 3D-printed weapon used in a high-profile killing, underscoring the threat. The proposed blocking technology would require printers to reject designs matching firearm blueprints, though implementation faces delays. New York’s law allows for a later start date if the study group deems the technology impractical. The measure could set industry standards and influence other Democratic-led states seeking stricter gun regulations, including those already banning semiautomatic weapons or enabling temporary confiscations of firearms from high-risk individuals.