D.A. Bragg Calls On 3D-Printing Companies To Address Proliferation Of Illegal Firearms

Opinion from the NY Pulse:

Banning 3D printers as a means of producing firearm parts would be as absurd as attempting to ban a hand saw. Both a 3D printer and a hand saw can be used to create illegal firearms. For instance, many well-documented cases involve individuals using basic tools, such as cutting pipes, to make makeshift shotguns. These types of videos are readily available on platforms like YouTube. The key point is this: if a criminal is determined to obtain an illegal firearm, restricting access to 3D printing technology will not prevent that.

Instead, such restrictions would primarily hurt legitimate consumers, especially those living in states where building firearms is legal. In many states, it is perfectly legal for individuals to own, construct, and assemble firearms for personal use, so limiting access to 3D printers in these regions would unfairly penalize responsible citizens. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), “ghost guns” (firearms that are homemade and untraceable due to lacking serial numbers) have become a concern, but it's important to note that the vast majority of these guns are not being created via 3D printing. In fact, most are made using common tools and parts purchased legally or stolen.

Politicians often use the term "ghost guns" as a vague scapegoat for addressing larger, more complex issues surrounding gun violence. Instead of focusing on 3D printing, the real issue lies in the theft of firearms, which is a significant source of illegal firearms. According to a report from the ATF, stolen firearms are a leading contributor to crime and violence, far more so than those produced with 3D printers.

Focusing solely on 3D printing as a major threat to public safety distracts from addressing the root causes of gun violence. Restricting access to a technology like 3D printing would have limited impact on crime and could disproportionately affect law-abiding citizens, especially in places where the construction of firearms is legal and regulated. A more effective approach would be to target the larger issues, such as gun theft, illegal trafficking, and the regulation of firearms at the point of sale.

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D.A. Bragg Calls On 3D-Printing Companies To Address Proliferation Of Illegal Firearms

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today called on Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co., Ltd., the manufacturer of one of the most popular 3D-printers available for individual consumers, to adopt additional security measures to deter the spread of 3D-printed guns and gun parts. In a letter to Creality, D.A. Bragg called on the company to install in its printers an available 3D-printing software program which detects the shapes of common gun parts and blocks their printing. D.A. Bragg plans to send similar letters to other leading consumer brands in the coming weeks. 

The letter comes following yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding federal regulations requiring ghost gun parts to have serial numbers and compelling background checks for prospective buyers of ghost gun home-assembly kits. The Office filed an amicus brief in support of the federal regulations in July 2024. 

D.A. Bragg also called on the company to remove online blueprints, also known as CAD files, from its cloud platform. The blueprints can be used to print firearms and gun parts without a background check. D.A. Bragg also called on Creality to ban the creation of illicit weapons in its company’s user agreement. 

Creality printers have been seized by the D.A.’s Office and its law enforcement partners, including in recent cases, pursuant to search warrants. 

“We are calling on companies that sell 3D-printers to work with us to stem the flow of dangerous weapons into our communities by implementing targeted, commonsense fixes. Too often, gun violence tragically takes innocent lives and tears at the fabric of our communities. Over the past several years, the number of illegal, 3D-printed firearms and ghost guns has increased significantly. We have an aggressive and holistic approach to combatting gun violence alongside our law enforcement partners but we cannot do it alone. We are hopeful that we can partner with these companies and make a meaningful impact on public safety,” said District Attorney Bragg. 

The D.A.’s Office’s mission is to crack down on ghost guns and illegal firearms. Since its creation in 2020, in partnership with the NYPD, the Ghost Gun Initiative has garnered the knowledge and expertise to aggressively prosecute violent offenders, intercept the creation of illegal and 3D-printed guns to protect New Yorkers, and stay ahead of the curve on ghost guns.

Recent cases involving 3D-printed firearms include: 

•  Luigi Mangione, who allegedly used a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer.

• Roberto Guerrero, who allegedly manufactured and possessed guns and parts inside his Harlem apartment.

• Christopher Fox, who was indicted for possessing equipment to assemble and manufacture 3D-printed weapons and gun parts in his Upper East Side apartment. 

• Cliffie Thomspon, who pleaded guilty to running a sophisticated ghost gun factory in his East Village apartment and possessing firearms, ammunition, 3D printers and ghost gun parts.   

Combatting gun violence is D.A. Bragg’s top priority. Between 2021 and 2024, homicides decreased 20% and shootings decreased 45% in Manhattan.

D.A. Bragg introduced legislation to close loopholes in New York’s gun laws that would make it a felony to manufacture 3D-printed and ghost guns and gun parts. It would also make it a misdemeanor to share, sell or distribute files containing blueprints for 3D-printed firearms components.  

The Office has similarly worked with and called on other platforms to address the proliferation of illegal firearms flowing into our city. In April 2024, D.A. Bragg called on YouTube to take additional steps to curb the spread of videos on its platforms that promote firearms content to young New Yorkers through its algorithm.  

In addition to proactive enforcement, the Office prioritizes community investments to prevent gun violence from occurring. D.A. Bragg announced the Office will invest up to $300,000 in community-based organizations to provide stipends for young New Yorkers, allowing them to earn money while participating in meaningful summer programs, such as youth-led community events, self-expression creative arts projects, and career readiness internships.  

Read the full letter sent to Creality here.