California sues websites hosting 3D printed gun files…

3d printers with guns — (Image credit: Getty Images)

The State of California just filed a civil suit against two websites that host 3D printing files for guns and related accessories, as well as guides and instructions on how to use them. It also named three individuals in the case: Alexander Holladay, who’s known for running the CTRL+Pew website; gun rights attorney and 3D-printed gun designer Matthew Larosiere; and 3D-printed gunmaker John Elik, more popularly known online as “IvanTheTroll.”

While this is only a civil suit, meaning no one will be imprisoned regardless of the outcome, 3D Printing Industry reports that they’re being slapped with violations of California Civil Code sections 3273.61 and 3273.625, both of which took effect this year.

The former says that anyone who distributes any digital firearm manufacturing code in California to an unlicensed manufacturer may be sued under it, while the latter further penalizes anyone who “knowingly, willfully, or recklessly cause another person to engage in the unlawful manufacture of firearms” or “knowingly, willfully, or recklessly aid, abet, promote, or facilitate the unlawful manufacture of firearms.”

California State Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement, “This groundbreaking lawsuit shows that our office is not bound by the old playbook.” He also added, “These defendants’ conduct enables unlicensed people who are too young or too dangerous to pass firearm background checks to illegally print deadly weapons without a background check and without a trace. This lawsuit underscores just how dangerous the ghost gun industry is and how much harm its skip-the-background-check business model has done to California’s communities.”

Aside from this civil liability case, the California State legislature is also considering a bill that would restrict 3D printer sales to state-approved models, one of the steps it’s considering to help control the proliferation of 3D-printed ghost guns. Other states are also taking steps to address this issue, including New York, which is working on a law that puts the burden of stopping weapon printing on 3D printer makers, Washington state, which is suggesting “blocking features” and a blueprint detection algorithm, and Colorado, which is focusing on the possession of 3D printed gun files.

While many understand the need to regulate the 3D printing of firearms and related accessories, 3D printing enthusiasts are worried that some of the bills state legislatures propose are overbroad and could stifle innovation and liberty in the 3D printing space. They could also be problematic, as some proposals require 3D printers to scan files and refuse to run the print if it’s shaped like a gun or a gun accessory — something that’s easier said than done and would likely result in a ton of false readings.

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8 Comments Comment from the forums

Arkitekt78

California being crazy again. Must be a Tuesday.
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moparhippy420

You can only print the frame of a gun, not the whole thing. You still need to buy all the other parts to make it work. How are do we still continue to allow these corrupt idiots to do pass things like this, they they clearly have zero idea wtf they are talking about.

Its very clear this isnt about stopping so called "ghost guns" (which is another made up, meaningless far left term) and about the govt just having yet another avenue to spy on you in your own home. This "backdoor" these states are requiring for 3d printers now that allows them to see what your printing? I promise you its not there just to spy on your printer. Its an open door for every device connected to your entire network. This is the real reason why they want to push this, that OF COURSE nobody is talking about, while using the same, tired "feel good" excuse to back it of "ghost guns".

Also, the image in the article, is not if a functioning thing. Its a non functional replica at best, or just an AI image at worst. If you look, you can clearly see its all printing as one solid piece. And anyone whose even remotely familiar with firearms use would know thats just not how guns work.
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MJS WARLORD

I am not in america i am in england but regardless of what country i am in i would imagine that if i pointed a toy gun or a replica at the police or somebody who has a real gun i would end up getting shot because from a distance nobody would know its not real and they would be perfectly justified in shooting me to defend themselves.

A few years ago a down syndrome adult was shot because he was waving a chair leg from his bedroom window at night, after he was shot his father supported the police because they did not know he was downs syndrome and in the dark the chair leg would have looked like a rifle.... Never found out who called the police in the first place.

I watch a series called police interceptors and many times after armed police have arrested somebody they say to the arrested person... If you had pointed that toy gun at somebody we would have had no choice but to shoot you because we would have no way of knowing its a toy.
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USAFRet

MJS WARLORD said:
I am not in america i am in england but regardless of what country i am in i would imagine that if i pointed a toy gun or a replica at the police or somebody who has a real gun i would end up getting shot because from a distance nobody would know its not real and they would be perfectly justified in shooting me to defend themselves.
Yes, that has happened.

This article is not about that.
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GiinTak

It's a protected right under federal law to freely manufacture your own firearms, but a firearms license is required if you want to distribute or sell any. California is sueing for protected, legal behavior. Sounds like California doesn't want to be part of the US.
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retro3dfx

Wild. It is perfectly legal to make your own firearms and firearm parts/accessories. Are they going to try crossing state/country borders to sue people because of 3D models in the internet somewhere? Lol.. Email the congressmen there the STL files and say they're in possession to counter-sue.
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USAFRet

A warning to all....please keep this a little bit on topic.
Further transgressions will simply be deleted.
Too many times, and someone may earn a time out.
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rmp5s1

Listen to this INSANE language, emphasis added: "Knowingly, willfully, or recklessly cause another person to engage in the unlawful manufacture of firearms”...now providing data to the public is CAUSING people to print guns?

Of course not. That's ludicrous. But that's their claim. I have no idea how this trash is even allowed.

And...you don't "print a gun"...that's, at best, INCREDIBLY reductive of all the time and work it takes to print...well...anything, really. The absolute BEST CASE scenario for most people is printing a lower receiver. You still have to get an upper receiver, barrel, magazine, ammo, etc. Making it sound like you push a button and the machine spits out a gun is INCREDIBLY misleading at best, maliciously misleading people at worst.
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