LEGAL Ghost Gun Legislation Casts Shadow Over 3D Printing
5th February 2026
State and federal lawmakers have stepped up their efforts to prevent the creation of 3D printed guns. But Adafruit, a maker of electronics kits, warns that the proposed legislation is so broad it threatens everyone involved in open source manufacturing and technology education.
Recent bills attempting to grapple with this issue include New York’s FY 2026–2027 executive budget bill (S.9005 / A.10005), Washington State House Bills 2320 and 2321, and the 3D Printed Gun Safety Act introduced last June in the US House and Senate.
The renewed enthusiasm for clamping down on 3D printing technology follows allegations that Luigi Mangione killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, with authorities saying a 3D-printed “ghost gun” recovered after his arrest was consistent with the weapon used.
Adafruit, which previously raised concerns about the Washington State proposals, said on Tuesday that the New York bill is also problematic.