Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., together with New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, has introduced updated legislation (S227A/A1777A) aimed at curbing the spread of 3D printed guns and auto sears—small, inexpensive devices capable of converting semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons.
Under current New York State law, possession of an auto sear is classified as a class A misdemeanor, a criminal offense that can carry a penalty of up to one year in jail. Manufacturing an auto sear is a class E felony, the least severe class of felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. However, distributing the digital blueprints that enable the 3D printing of auto sears remains legal. The proposed legislation seeks to close this loophole by making the intentional sharing of such files a class A misdemeanor.
“Driving down gun violence and addressing the proliferation of 3D printed and ghost guns is an ongoing priority for my office that requires an aggressive and holistic approach. Auto sears are dangerous weapons that further exacerbate gun violence and need to be treated extremely seriously. Our proposed legislation reflects a comprehensive legislative fix that would give us additional tools to hold people accountable who are using and developing illegal firearms. I hope the legislature gives serious consideration to this bill before the session ends in June, and I thank Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Rosenthal for their continued support and leadership,” said District Attorney Bragg.
3D Printed Guns and Auto Sears
Auto sears, which can be fabricated from plastic or metal, are often disguised as innocuous objects—such as toys—and can be produced at home for as little as $5. The digital files used to manufacture them are frequently distributed through encrypted platforms, many of which are used by extremist groups.
The legislation builds on a 2023 proposal that sought to criminalize not only the production of 3D printed firearms and components, but also the distribution of the digital blueprints used to create them. That language is incorporated into this updated bill.
This proposal aligns with a broader, multi-pronged strategy by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to address the proliferation of untraceable, homemade firearms. In June 2023, District Attorney Bragg, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Assemblymember Rosenthal introduced a bill that would classify the production of 3D printed firearms and components as a class D felony, and the distribution of digital blueprints for these items as a class A misdemeanor. This language has been incorporated into the new version of the bill as well.
The revised legislation reflects ongoing efforts by District Attorney Bragg and his office to curb the spread of 3 -printed guns and parts. In March, Bragg sent letters to 3D printing companies urging them to implement stronger safeguards to prevent the creation of such weapons. His office is also in discussions with platforms that host blueprint files to address related concerns. In 2024, the office contacted YouTube, prompting the platform to update its policies regarding content tied to 3D printed firearms and ammunition.
“No one should be allowed to create instruments of war with a 3D printer,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing. “As the federal government feverishly works to roll back key gun control measures, New York must do everything in its power to protect communities from the proliferation of illegal firearms. My legislation with Senator Hoylman-Sigal would ban the manufacture of ghost guns and ghost gun parts, further empowering law enforcement to seize and remove these dangerous weapons from our streets.”
Since launching its Ghost Guns Initiative in 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has prosecuted numerous high-profile cases and seized over 92 illegal firearms, 134 ghost gun parts, 443 high-capacity magazines, 49 silencers, and other rapid-fire accessories.
Government Initiatives and Expert Warnings on 3D Printed Guns
As the availability of 3D printed firearms continues to rise, experts are sounding the alarm about the growing overlap between this technology and far-right extremism. In an interview with Dr. Yannick Veilleux-Lepage, Assistant Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and specialist in terrorism and political violence, outlined how 3D printed weapons have become increasingly attractive to extremist groups.
His research, published in West Point’s CTC Sentinel Journal, identifies 42 documented cases of far-right individuals either manufacturing or attempting to acquire 3D printed firearms. According to Dr. Veilleux-Lepage, these weapons hold symbolic significance for extremists, serving as a form of rebellion against government regulation and a statement of self-reliance.
While the broader 3D printed gun community spans multiple ideologies, Dr. Veilleux-Lepage points out that it is “adjacent to the far-right online ecosystem,” making it particularly vulnerable to radicalization. Platforms such as YouTube, Reddit, and encrypted messaging apps facilitate the exchange of blueprints and tutorials, drawing users into a space where DIY firearm culture and extremist ideologies often converge.
In response to these risks, some companies and governments have taken preventive measures. French 3D printer manufacturer Dagoma partnered with international ad agency TBWA\Paris to disrupt access to weapon blueprints by releasing fake, non-functional files of 3D printable guns—frustrating attempts to download usable versions.
At the platform level, Facebook has banned content that shares instructions for manufacturing 3D printed guns, citing violations of its Community Standards. However, groups like the Firearms Policy Coalition have pushed back, arguing that such restrictions infringe on freedom of speech.
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Featured image shows Blue Print Gun Part. Image via The New York State Senate.
