New York Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a legislative proposal that would make the state the first in the country to require 3D printer manufacturers to block the creation of guns and gun components. The bill is designed to curb the spread of so-called ghost guns, unserialized firearms that can be produced at home and are increasingly being seized by police.
Blocking Technology and Licensing Rules
The proposal would require consumer and commercial 3D printers sold or operated in New York to incorporate safeguards preventing the printing of weapons. It would also make it a crime to possess or share the digital design files used to produce 3D printed firearms unless the individual has appropriate authorization.
“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,” Hochul said.
In addition to mandating printer-level safeguards and restricting access to CAD files, the proposed legislation would require law enforcement agencies to report any recovered 3D printed firearms to a statewide database. The measure also includes a provision requiring commercial gun manufacturers to redesign pistols so they cannot be easily converted for automatic fire.
Pressure From Prosecutors and Recent Crimes
Hochul’s proposal follows efforts by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who earlier this year urged 3D printing firms to help limit access to weapon blueprints, calling the rise in printed firearms a “growing threat.” His outreach came after high-profile violent incidents involving 3D printed guns, including the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, in which prosecutors allege suspect Luigi Mangione used a 3D printed firearm and suppressor.
Bragg acknowledged that stopping the spread of digital files would not completely eliminate the problem, but argued that limiting access raises barriers for would-be offenders. “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. Passing these measures will reduce crime and strengthen public safety for all New Yorkers,” Bragg said in the governor’s statement.
The Rise of 3D Printed Guns
The rise of 3D printed firearms has heightened both public safety concerns and regulatory urgency. In an interview with Dr. Yannick Veilleux‑Lepage, a terrorism and emerging-technology researcher, explained that these weapons appeal to extremists by enabling symbolic defiance of regulation and allowing some to “seize the means of political violence.” Their accessibility is amplified by active online communities that provide detailed instructions and support, enabling individuals—even in countries with strict gun laws—to produce functional firearms, creating significant enforcement challenges.
Last year, the Urutau, a fully 3D printable firearm designed in Brazil, showed how additive manufacturing continues to lower the barriers to DIY weapons. In an interview, Dr. Veilleux‑Lepage and global security researcher Zoltán Füredi said the Urutau’s step‑by‑step build guide “sets a new benchmark” for 3D printed gun instructions, making it possible for almost anyone to print and assemble the weapon. The guide claims the firearm can be produced in under a week and recommends widely available printers. Beyond engineering details, it also includes operational security tips to help users evade detection while spreading ideological messages alongside technical instructions.
Other high-profile examples, including the Chicago lawsuit against Glock over “Glock switches”—printable devices that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic—highlight the regulatory challenges posed by this emerging threat. In 2024, Pro-gun advocate Matthew Larosiere criticized the lawsuit as legally flawed, arguing that targeting manufacturers is unlikely to reduce violent crime. He contends that broader societal factors, particularly the dynamics of the drug trade, are the primary drivers of U.S. gun violence, and that regulating 3D printing or DIY firearms would have minimal impact.
The case moved forward in September 2025 after a judge rejected Glock’s dismissal, with discovery now underway, and in October, Glock announced redesigned pistols to prevent conversions—a step praised by city officials.
In response, the government has moved to block the creation of 3D printed guns and components. In May, Bragg, together with New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, 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.
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