New York is on its way to becoming the first US state to try to tackle ghost gun violence by blocking 3D printers from producing firearms. However, many don’t see this as helping.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law requiring 3D printers to include technology that would ban them from printing guns.

While some agree with this decision as a way to reduce gun violence, some say that it violates the First Amendment.

The law that was signed on May 27th, 2026, requires 3D printers to include software, hardware, firmware, or other safeguards that would block printers from manufacturing guns or gun parts.

Violating the law could result in a $5,000 fine per product sold.

Why can guns no longer be 3D printed?

The reasoning behind banning 3D printer owners from making what is essentially a ghost gun – a firearm that doesn’t have a serial number, and thus is untraceable – is to reduce gun violence.

“I don’t think that people should be able to turn their kitchen table into a munitions factory using a 3D printer legally purchased to create guns that could slaughter other human beings,” said Hochul during an interview with Omar Jimenez, a correspondent at CNN.

The governor shared that she views the law as a way to “get ahead” of criminals who find ways to get around and create weapons.

Hochul also said that companies that produce 3D printers should find this legislation important due to liability laws and the fact that their products were used to create something that may kill or harm another human being.

Backlash against the law

The journalist also hinted that this law could limit the use of such technology for research purposes. Nevertheless, Hochul believes that in this case, it shouldn't be hard to prove it.

However, the news has sparked online debate, with many stating that it won’t help tackle actual criminals and their wrongdoing.

“[...] Criminals are never going to do anything legally, like getting guns, they get them from some black market guy, and it is stolen or so on,” noted one X user.

“You can build a DIY 3D printer for half the cost and still 3D print firearms. If there's a will, there's a way,” wrote another netizen.

The law also raised some questions among groups such as the National Rifle Association and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

“This is ultimately asking tools not to work for the creator and go through a filter, a censorship filter,” said Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, to USA Today.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) also warned that the law threatens the First Amendment.

In a news release, the organization said: “Is Kathy Hochul also suggesting she has the authority to ban books, videos, diagrams, blueprints, instructions, and lectures regarding the design and manufacture of firearms, even those that would be illegal to possess under state law?”

How would the law work?

The law would include a work group of experts tasked with developing recommendations for safety standards for 3D printers to comply with the law, based on current technology.

In case the group finds these requirements “not technologically feasible,” it will share its findings, and no regulations will be implemented, said Sam Levy, the director of policy advocacy at Everytown for Gun Safety.

He also said that it would take approximately 3 years until the 3D printer requirements would go into effect.

The rise of ghost guns

While some debate the law, reports indicate that the number of 3D-printed ghost guns is increasing.

Since ghost guns don’t include serial numbers, it’s hard to estimate how many are being made in the US.

However, while in 2021 the New York Police Department recovered one 3D-printed gun, in 2024 the number was 109, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (via The Trace).

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