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Issues

3D-Printed Guns

    3D-Printed Guns

      What is the problem?

      3D-printed guns are a serious threat to our communities. With a basic 3D printer and easily attainable digital blueprints, anyone, from kids to violent criminals, can build an untraceable firearm.

      Of particular concern is the potential access to firearms that 3D-printed guns can represent for children and teens. As 3D-printing technology becomes more affordable and accessible, young people are increasingly able to manufacture their own firearms—often without the knowledge of the adults in their lives. As schools purchase 3D printers and train students how to use them, the problem of 3D guns is now entering the classroom as well.

      Why is it an issue?

      Printing violence: A growing concern

      While the purchase of a traditional gun from a gun dealer would require an in-person background check and result in a paper trail to enable authorities to trace the source of the gun if it is misused, 3D-printed guns can be made at home and give dangerous individuals—including violent felons and extremists—a way to arm themselves without an opportunity to intervene or investigate. 

      Further, some 3D-printed guns are designed to avoid detection. Many are made from plastic or mixed materials, making them harder to detect with standard metal detectors in public places like courthouses, airports, or schools. The potential ability to bypass security and avoid gun regulations makes them especially appealing to those intending to commit violent crimes.

      Compounding the issue is the role of online communities where blueprints, tutorials, and encouragement to build weapons are widely circulated. Online communities dedicated to 3D-printed firearms often serve as hubs where blueprints, assembly guides, and ideological propaganda are freely shared. These spaces can attract individuals who are not only interested in firearms but are also motivated by hate, conspiracy theories, or violent ideologies. Some extremist groups in these communities actively encourage followers to print their own weapons as a way to arm themselves without government oversight and prepare for acts of violence or terrorism. 

      Law enforcement agencies have already seen a rise in the use of 3D-printed guns in shootings, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      15 states have adopted this policy

      AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Alabama has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Alaska has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Arizona has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Arkansas has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      California has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Colorado has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers for component parts.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Connecticut has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no plastic undetectable guns.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Delaware has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, no plastic undetectable guns, no 3D printing of guns, no distribution of 3D printing instructions.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Florida has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Georgia has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Hawaii has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no 3D printing of guns.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Idaho has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Illinois has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for all firearms and component parts

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Indiana has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Iowa has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Kansas has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Kentucky has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Louisiana has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Maine has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Maryland has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for all firearms and component parts. All ghost guns must be reported to officials.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Massachusetts has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for all firearms and component parts. All ghost guns must be reported to officials.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Michigan has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Minnesota has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Mississippi has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Missouri has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Montana has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Nebraska has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Nevada has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      New Hampshire has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      New Jersey has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no 3D printing of guns, no distribution of 3D printing instructions, no plastic undetectable guns.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      New Mexico has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      New York has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no plastic undetectable guns.

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      North Carolina has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      North Dakota has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Ohio has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Oklahoma has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Oregon has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Prohibits undetectable firearms, including 3D printed guns; requires all firearms, frames, and receivers to be serialized

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Pennsylvania has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Rhode Island has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, no 3D printing of guns

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      South Carolina has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      South Dakota has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Tennessee has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Texas has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Utah has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Vermont has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for all firearms and component parts

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Virginia has not adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      No plastic undetectable guns

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Washington has adopted this policy

      What does the state law require?
      Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, no plastic undetectable guns

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      West Virginia has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Wisconsin has not adopted this policy

      Ghost Guns Regulated

      Wyoming has not adopted this policy

      What are the solutions?

      • We need stronger policies, targeted interventions, and action from 3D-printing companies to combat the dangers of 3D-printed firearms.

      Featured Resources

      3D-Printed Guns

      All Resources

      Did you know?

      Besides a 3-D printer, the only other material needed to print a gun is one spool of ABS filament, which generally costs $20.

      Everytown for Gun Safety. “The Danger of Downloadable Guns”. Everytown for Gun Safety. (2020). https://bit.ly/2Xac2ey