If enacted, HB4074 would make it illegal to share digital files that instruct a 3D printer to produce firearms. This regulation aims to prevent individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms, such as felons or domestic abusers, from easily acquiring untraceable firearms. The bill seeks to support law enforcement efforts in tracking firearms used in crimes, as traditionally lawful firearms come with serial numbers that aid in tracing them back to their original purchases.
Summary
House Bill 4074, titled the '3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2023', aims to amend existing federal laws surrounding firearms by prohibiting the distribution of digital plans for 3D printing firearms and firearms parts. The bill addresses the growing concerns regarding unregulated firearm manufacture through 3D printing technology, which allows virtually anyone to create firearms that may circumvent traditional security measures, such as metal detectors. This legislative effort arose from the realization that such untraceable firearms could rise from the proliferation of digital blueprints available online, thereby posing significant public safety threats.
Contention
The bill underscores a notable tension between gun rights advocates and supporters of gun control. Proponents of the bill argue that it is a necessary step toward safeguarding communities from gun violence and preventing firearms from being manufactured without oversight. Conversely, opponents, primarily from gun rights groups, contend that such regulations may infringe on individual rights and the freedom of information, positing that they could lead to a slippery slope of increased governmental overreach into personal liberties.