3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2025
If enacted, SB2165 could significantly alter the landscape of gun regulations in the United States. It aims to curb the distribution of 3D-printed firearms, suspected of endangering public safety and undermining the federal firearms regulatory regime. Existing laws provide for the tracking of firearms through serial numbers; however, untraceable firearms made via 3D printing present a unique challenge. This legislation focuses on enhancing the ability of law enforcement to maintain control over firearm distribution as technology evolves, thereby reinforcing federal oversight in gun regulations.
The 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2025 (SB2165) seeks to amend chapter 44 of title 18 of the United States Code by prohibiting the distribution of digital plans for 3D printing firearms. The bill highlights the growing technological advancements in 3D printing, which allow unlicensed individuals to produce firearms and parts without regulatory oversight. Its main objective is to address the risks posed by untraceable firearms created using 3D printers, which could evade detection by security measures and pose a danger in public spaces, including airports. The bill intends to combat these challenges by making the sharing of CAD files or similar digital instructions illegal.
Opposition to the bill may arise from advocates for technology and digital rights, who might argue that prohibiting the distribution of digital design files infringes on free speech and First Amendment rights related to computer programming. There could be concerns that lawmakers are addressing a highly specific problem while potentially overreaching in regulating digital expression. Moreover, the effectiveness of this legislative approach in actually reducing gun violence, stemming from the accessibility of 3D printing technology, will likely be debated among legislators and stakeholders.