New York State Assembly passed a bill recently that requires anyone buying a 3D-printer to submit to an extensive criminal background check. The process could take 15 days. Bill A8132 sponsored by Assemblymember Jeniferrajkumar would require any retailer in the state who sells a 3D printer that is capable of printing firearms or components of firearms to request a criminal background from the state division of criminal services. According to the bill’s text, the commissioner will have 15 days to examine the criminal history of the buyer and determine whether they are allowed to purchase the printer.
While the goal of bill A8132 seems to be preventing the manufacture of so-called ghost guns — unregistered firearms made at home — it actually would restrict the sale of pretty much any consumer 3D printer in the state. Gun Digest recommends both the Prusa I3 MK3S+ and the Creality Ender 3. Both are popular printers for printing firearms. These are both bedslinger-style FDM Printers, so if you can print a firearm with either of them, then you could also print one with any other 3D printer.
The law states “For purposes hereof, a ‘three dimensional printer’ is a computer, computer-driven device or machine capable of producing three-dimensional objects from a model digital.” The word “producing”, here, is also vague because the best laser cutters are also capable of creating 3D objects using digital models.
It’s not difficult to 3D print the gun parts. You can download a lot of 3D models online for free. They are available in standard filaments like ABS or PLA. Guns that are designed to be fired repeatedly usually have metal parts which cannot be 3D-printed (unless you own a metal 3D printer).
The Bill A8132 may not even make it out of committee, never mind become law. (The bill currently is open for comment.) The bill as it is written would make purchasing a 3D-printer in New York State much more difficult. It could also be more expensive. Imagine that you walk up to Micro Center with your Bambu Lab P1S. You are told to fill out forms, present your ID, and wait while your background checks clear. Makers and hackers may be forced to move to other states like New Jersey and Connecticut. According to the law’s text, you may have to wait up to 15 business days before you find out if you can take home your printer.
Also, it’s unclear how much background checks will cost consumers. In New York gun dealers can charge a fee up to 10 dollars per transaction.
The New York bill A8132, which targets 3D-printed guns, is not the first to be proposed. Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal first introduced Bill A7489 in May. It makes it illegal to produce ghost guns and distribute 3D models of them. This bill has not been passed yet and does not limit the sale of 3D Printers. Brad HoylmanSigal of the State Senate introduced the same bill in the senate, Bill S7364. These laws were also supported by Manhattan District attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., whose frame them as “comprehensive gun legislation.”