Colorado bill could criminalize possessing 3D gun files, not just printing them

[midian182]

A hot potato: One of the negatives that have stemmed from the proliferation of 3D printers has been the rise of so-called ghost guns – a privately made, functional firearm that lacks a serial number and is untraceable. It's led to several states banning these printers from being used to create firearms and components, and Colorado could be next with a bill that doesn't just target what people print, but what they download.

Colorado's HB26-1144 bill would expand the state's firearms rules to cover "3-dimensional printing," defined to include additive printing and subtractive manufacturing (CNC milling is covered, too).

The proposal would prohibit using those tools from making a firearm, an unfinished frame or receiver, a large-capacity magazine, or certain rapid-fire accessories. Most notably, it also treats the digital element as part of the offense: "digital instructions" that can program a 3D printer or CNC machine would be regulated alongside the hardware.

Possessing those instructions can become a crime if authorities claim they were held with intent to manufacture a prohibited item, or with intent to distribute the files for someone else to do it.

Sharing the files is also barred, with carve-outs for federally licensed firearm manufacturers. First violations start as misdemeanors, but repeat offenses can escalate into felonies.

Also read: The hidden fingerprints inside 3D-printed ghost guns

Colorado's is being introduced as other states push something much closer to surveillance-by-design.

Washington's proposal would require 3D printers sold after a future date to ship with "blocking features" – software or firmware that screens common file formats and rejects jobs flagged as firearms or illegal components. It also mentions multiple compliance paths, including printer-level checks, mandatory pre-print software, or a "handshake" authentication system between the printer and approved software.

New York lawmakers have floated similar detection mandates tied to printer sales, effectively pushing machines toward file inspection and model blacklists.

California has gone further with a plan to restrict sales to DOJ-approved printers on a roster, with anti-circumvention rules meant to stop users from disabling gun-detection safeguards, as well as and proposals that hint at compliance reporting.

Supporters say these are overdue updates for a world where a download can become a weapon. Critics argue intent is difficult to prove, CAD files are speech-adjacent, and algorithmic screenings will inevitably result in some false positives that punish legitimate makers, schools, and small businesses.

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Colorado bill could criminalize possessing 3D gun files, not just printing them

 

[Megalomaniac]

Isn't it my right to possess information - of whatever kind - whether I choose to use it or not?

This level of tyranny is the reason we need these files in the first place.

 

[Beerfloat]

Isn't it my right to possess information - of whatever kind - whether I choose to use it or not?

CSAM is excepted so no.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

This is ridiculous government overreach.

Are they going to ban having metal pipe in your possession next? When Abe was killed in Japan, the shotgun used was made entirely of components from home improvement stores.

The problem is not ghost guns, the problem is the rampant crime in America, fueled by limp wristed punishments and lenient probation that have removed much of the consequences for commiting crimes. Most "ghost guns" are not 3d printed, they are sold for cash in back alleys by criminals or importers from Mexico, with the serial numbers shaved off.

 

[CBTex]

Literally criminalizing numerical data....

"When knowledge is illegal, only criminals will have knowledge."

 

[Robertrogue]

Currently Federal laws allow a person legally able to own or possess a firearm, can build a firearm for personal use. Unless they circumvent the Constitution (Like California) and criminalize lawful people from owning a firearm, this will be shot down in court. The laws on people's thoughts are in place when it comes to "what is determined to be hate" but even these are objective at best. proving someone's intent without a person committing a crime is straight from the movie Minority Report, which if no one knows, is fiction. Science fiction, to be exact. Gotta love those democrat run states that want to control even the thoughts of the public!!!!

 

[Beerfloat]

Currently Federal laws allow a person legally able to own or possess a firearm, can build a firearm for personal use. Unless they circumvent the Constitution (Like California) and criminalize lawful people from owning a firearm, this will be shot down in court. The laws on people's thoughts are in place when it comes to "what is determined to be hate" but even these are objective at best. proving someone's intent without a person committing a crime is straight from the movie Minority Report, which if no one knows, is fiction. Science fiction, to be exact. Gotta love those democrat run states that want to control even the thoughts of the public!!!!

You may want to rephrase this.

 

[Beerfloat]

This is ridiculous government overreach.

Are they going to ban having metal pipe in your possession next? When Abe was killed in Japan, the shotgun used was made entirely of components from home improvement stores.

"What's next" doesn't always strengthen one's argument. It implies the current act itself is not quite egregious enough.

The problem is not ghost guns, the problem is the rampant crime in America, fueled by limp wristed punishments and lenient probation that have removed much of the consequences for commiting crimes.

We already have the highest number of incarcerated individuals in the world, regularly try juveniles as adults and execute even intellectually disabled people. Why is there still crime? Is there something wrong with us?

Most "ghost guns" are not 3d printed, they are sold for cash in back alleys by criminals or importers from Mexico, with the serial numbers shaved off.

Yet Mexico has a negligible amount of domestic gun manufacturing. I wonder where the guns might've come from.

 

[VitalyT]

I have the feeling, this is never going to work. 3D printing is the kind of genie that you cannot put back in the bottle.

If they cannot print the whole thing, they will figure out how to split it into parts for easy assembly.

 

[MasterAce]

In the past encryption software was export restricted. So people would print the source code into books and once abroad the said book would be ocr’d back to digital. This was because books are covered by free speech.

So, looking forward to those 3D model books…

 

[pnntmp]

Communist idi0cy knows no bounds.
Someone sends me a 3D printing file disguised as something else, and I go to jail.

A microscopic fraction of the untraceable guns are 3d-printed. Most are regular guns sold by untraceable illegal aliens.

 

[Beerfloat]

Communist idi0cy knows no bounds.
Someone sends me a 3D printing file disguised as something else, and I go to jail.

A microscopic fraction of the untraceable guns are 3d-printed. Most are regular guns sold by untraceable illegal aliens.

If they are untraceable, how did you come to this conclusion?

 

[Beerfloat]

I have the feeling, this is never going to work. 3D printing is the kind of genie that you cannot put back in the bottle.

If they cannot print the whole thing, they will figure out how to split it into parts for easy assembly.

I think you're right. But then again all criminal statutes exist despite them not being entirely effective, to a lesser or greater degree.

 

[opckieran]

10 Million+ illegals under the Biden Admin

Trump: Kick them all out!
Leftists: PoLiCe 3D PrInTeRs!!

 

[Theinsanegamer]

"What's next" doesn't always strengthen one's argument. It implies the current act itself is not quite egregious enough.

No, it implies that the current act is overly egregious and if allowed to stand, will be pushed further, because those with power always want more power.

We already have the highest number of incarcerated individuals in the world,

Our willingness to jail criminals is not relevant.

regularly try juveniles as adults

For capital crimes like murder. Might want to rethink this argument.

and execute even intellectually disabled people.

LMFAO this is some MSNBC tier nonsense.

If you don't want to get shot by a cop, stop attacking them. It's not that hard.

Why is there still crime? Is there something wrong with us?

Crime will always exist so long as humans exist. The difference, of course, is that letting criminals run free after commiting crimes encourages them to commit MORE crimes.

What is wrong with us is that we are ever so willing to keep giving people chances until they screw up so bad someone dies and then they spend the rest of their life in prison.

Yet Mexico has a negligible amount of domestic gun manufacturing. I wonder where the guns might've come from.

Funny how that was a"conservative conspiracy theory" but is now being used to attack conservatives. Hmmmmm.......

If they are untraceable, how did you come to this conclusion?

Because when they find these weapons at crime scenes, theyre made of forged steel, not 3d filaments.

Again, not too hard to figure out.

 

[Beerfloat]

No, it implies that the current act is overly egregious and if allowed to stand, will be pushed further, because those with power always want more power.

Our willingness to jail criminals is not relevant.

Your argument was that we punish lightly and leniently, which comparatively is not necessarily the case.

For capital crimes like murder. Might want to rethink this argument.

Why? There are juveniles being tried as adults. What's there to dispute? The outcome is harsher sentencing compared to many other nations.

LMFAO this is some MSNBC tier nonsense.

If you don't want to get shot by a cop, stop attacking them. It's not that hard.

What does this have to do with the subject at hand?

Crime will always exist so long as humans exist. The difference, of course, is that letting criminals run free after commiting crimes encourages them to commit MORE crimes.

Sure, but can it really be said that a nation of 350ish million people which has more people in prison/jail than even China is particularly lenient?

What is wrong with us is that we are ever so willing to keep giving people chances until they screw up so bad someone dies and then they spend the rest of their life in prison.

Funny how that was a"conservative conspiracy theory" but is now being used to attack conservatives. Hmmmmm.......

I'm having to guess here what you're talking about, as the source of your butthurt is not immediately obvious. It sounds like it may be a reference to something like 'Operation Fast and Furious', which of course is in no way the main or even a significant source of the weapons that reach Mexico. You know where they are coming from.

Because when they find these weapons at crime scenes, theyre made of forged steel, not 3d filaments.

Again, not too hard to figure out.

He said most ghost guns are sold by 'untraceable illegal aliens'. Surely you can produce evidence to support such a statement if it is that obvious.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Your argument was that we punish lightly and leniently, which comparatively is not necessarily the case.

Yes, it is the case.

Why? There are juveniles being tried as adults. What's there to dispute? The outcome is harsher sentencing compared to many other nations.

These juveniles took the life of somebody else. In other nations these kids are given life sentences for doing this. What you're doing here is spitting on the grave of the dead while advocating for light sentences for murderers.

What does this have to do with the subject at hand?


Sure, but can it really be said that a nation of 350ish million people which has more people in prison/jail than even China is particularly lenient?


I'm having to guess here what you're talking about, as the source of your butthurt is not immediately obvious. It sounds like it may be a reference to something like 'Operation Fast and Furious', which of course is in no way the main or even a significant source of the weapons that reach Mexico. You know where they are coming from.


He said most ghost guns are sold by 'untraceable illegal aliens'. Surely you can produce evidence to support such a statement if it is that obvious.

See now you're trying to excuse your gaslighting on subjects you brought up, none of which have to do with the subject at hand.

Trading away constitutional rights to enable thought crimes is not a good thing, full stop. Unless you want to wind up like China, that is.

 

[toooooot]

Isn't it my right to possess information - of whatever kind - whether I choose to use it or not?

This level of tyranny is the reason we need these files in the first place.

I have very little experience with guns. But there are those kits that allow handguns to fire constantly till the mag is empty. 2 handguns like that with 30 bullet magazines, and that is a simple way to massacre a school or shopping mall.
But no, these laws are useless. Even if they can force each law abiding person to erase those files from their computers, that would mean that the only people left who will have them will be criminals. Whenever I see young black kids showcasing their handguns with giant magazines that are banned in multiple state, I get furious. You, law makers, told law abiding citizens that they cannot own those, which means in a case of assault, an ordinary person with carry permit will be defending using a hand gun with tiny magazine while the attacker will not only bring a giant magazine but also those printed kits that turn handguns into automatic rifle.

It sucks, it sucks because there is nothing about safety in these laws, they are merely a punishment for lawful gun owners.

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

In the past encryption software was export restricted. So people would print the source code into books and once abroad the said book would be ocr’d back to digital. This was because books are covered by free speech.

So, looking forward to those 3D model books…

Case in point, starting at $999 over 30 years later on Amazon lol: PGP Source Code & Internals

The author (or programmer) writes in the preface of that famous book:

Why publish an entire book (and a big one at that) comprised mainly of boring source code for a computer program? Well, there are some really good reasons. It concerns your civil liberties, and requires a bit of explaining, but it's actually quite an interesting story.

Cryptography is a surprisingly political technology. In recent years, it has become more so, with the controversy surrounding the Government's Clipper chip, the FBI wiretap legislation, export controls on cryptographic software, and the balance of power between a government and its people. Historically, cryptography has been used mainly by governments for diplomatic and military traffic. But with the coming of the information age, ubiquitous personal computers, modems, and fax machines, this is changing. With an emerging global economy depending more and more on digital communication, ordinary people and companies need cryptography to protect their everyday communications. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies want access to all of our communications, to catch people who break the law, and detect threats to National Security. Civil libertarians want to keep the Government out of our private communications, to protect our privacy and maintain a healthy democracy.

Switch out a few words there and you have the same situation with 3D printed guns. In fact, the preface continues on to say this:

The US State Department has a list of items that may not be exported without a license. The Munitions List. Mostly weapons, but included in that is encryption software. Encryption software may not be exported without a license, and that license is hard to come by if the software uses advanced encryption techniques that the Government can't easily break. Software like PGP.

If the US government couldn't legally ban advanced cryptography despite it being on the Munition List, then why do you think a state government would be able to ban 3D printed guns despite actual legally owned guns being on there? Besides, I bet you can trace 3D printed objects too: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181018151044.htm

 

[Endymio]

We already have the highest number of incarcerated individuals in the world,... Why is there still crime?

I'm glad you asked. Because in the US "incarceration" consists of placing someone in an air-conditioned play-pen with cable-TV, sports and art activities, and free medical treatment even for elective surgeries like gender transitioning. Commit a crime in China, on the other hand -- not just murder, but rape, drug smuggling, financial fraud, or bribery of government officials -- and you'll be executed a few weeks later.

 

[wiyosaya]

LMFAO this is some MSNBC tier nonsense.

Right - cry Fake News. Except this time, it was easy to verify. What was the difficulty in verifying it? - https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/new...prisoner-executed-after-scotus-denies-appeal/

 

[wiyosaya]

I'm glad you asked. Because in the US "incarceration" consists of placing someone in an air-conditioned play-pen with cable-TV, sports and art activities, and free medical treatment even for elective surgeries like gender transitioning. Commit a crime in China, on the other hand -- not just murder, but rape, drug smuggling, financial fraud, or bribery of government officials -- and you'll be executed a few weeks later.

Ah yes. People still get executed which means that its not an effective deterrent.

 

[wiyosaya]

You, law makers, told law abiding citizens that they cannot own those, which means in a case of assault, an ordinary person with carry permit will be defending using a hand gun with tiny magazine while the attacker will not only bring a giant magazine but also those printed kits that turn handguns into automatic rifle.

Did your 8-ball tell you that?

 

[wiyosaya]

10 Million+ illegals under the Biden Admin

Trump: Kick them all out!

Pure hypocrisy when legal aliens without criminal histories are kicked out without due process.

 

[Endymio]

Right - cry Fake News. Except this time, it was easy to verify. What was the difficulty in verifying it? - https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/new...prisoner-executed-after-scotus-denies-appeal/

Is this to whom you're referring?

"Pye and three accomplices abducted and raped [the woman] before taking her to a deserted road where Pye ordered her to lie face down and shot her three times..."

Pye wasn't labeled "intellectually disabled" until his defense attorneys went to work. His first IQ test by them came in at 70 -- too high -- so they found another expert who tested him at 68, just within the 50-69 category of "mlldly intellectually disabled". For comparison, those suffering from Downs Syndrome often have IQs in the 35-49 range ("moderately disabled") or even in the 20-35 range ("severely disabled").