Bipartisan Movement Against Ghost Guns

Lawmakers across the United States are responding to the growing prevalence of ghost guns—firearms manufactured without serial numbers, often with the help of 3D printers. A bipartisan movement has emerged, with at least 16 states enacting stringent laws aimed at curbing the production and possession of these weapons. Seven states have introduced significant legislation in the current year alone, as reported by Stateline.

Recent Legislative Developments

State legislators have been proactive. In 2026, states like Colorado, New Jersey, Maine, New York, Virginia, and Washington imposed various restrictions that address weapons made without serial numbers. California has enhanced its already stringent measures with a bill mandating 3D printer manufacturers to include technology that prevents the printing of firearms.

State-Specific Initiatives

This year, New York also incorporated laws into its state budget to penalize the illicit production of ghost guns. Manhattan’s Democratic District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, likened the new regulations to those in place that prevent printers from creating U.S. currency. “We’re going to put technology into our machines such that they will not be a 3D gun,” Bragg stated, underscoring the necessity of controlling the technology in circulation.

Maine has joined the ranks, passing legislation that mandates serial numbers on all firearms, including those manufactured through 3D printing by January. Additionally, New Jersey has enacted Bill A4975, which requires individuals to possess a firearms license even to access blueprints for printing firearms.

Expanding Legal Frameworks

In Colorado and Virginia, similar laws have been passed to limit the possession of serial-number-less weapons. In Washington, Governor Bob Ferguson signed legislation that not only restricts the ownership of these firearms but also regulates the digital blueprints associated with their production.

On the other side, a legislative package in Minnesota aimed at imposing comprehensive restrictions on 3D-printed firearms failed to progress through the state legislature in March.

Rising Concerns Over Crime

The push for regulations comes in response to increasing incidents of 3D-printed guns being recovered from crime scenes. According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), more than 27,000 ghost guns were recovered in January 2023, a stark increase from just over 1,600 found in January 2017. Advocates for stronger gun laws argue that this rising trend contributes to a heightened risk of firearm-related incidents in communities.

“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,” a statement from the organization Everytown For Gun Safety notes, underlining the potential danger as 3D printers find their way into educational settings.

Counterarguments and Ongoing Legal Battles

Opponents of the restrictions argue that these measures infringe upon Second Amendment rights and fail to address core issues of public safety. “The gun is not the problem; the individual committing the crime is the problem,” stated William Sack, senior director of legal operations at the Second Amendment Foundation. This sentiment echoes among various gun rights advocates who maintain that the root causes of violence lie beyond the types of firearms in circulation.

Many states implementing these restrictions are now facing constitutional challenges. A notable case arose in February, when a three-judge panel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld a ruling in favor of New Jersey’s efforts against the Texas-based company Defense Distributed, which had been distributing 3D-gun blueprints to unlicensed users. The court’s decision reaffirmed the state’s stance on implementing regulations surrounding gun manufacturing technology.