NY bans 3D-printed guns amid growing firearm violence

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 27, 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.

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.

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.