California signs 3D printer gun law

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring manufacturers to add firearm prevention technology to certain 3D printers sold in California.

Existing machines get a pass

The law does not require owners of existing 3D printers to install new blocking hardware. It applies only to future sales and transfers.

Second state to act on 3D guns

California joins New York as the second US state to establish restrictions on firearm production through 3D printing equipment. Colorado and Washington are pursuing comparable measures.

Two detection approaches, both flawed

One method compares digital files against known firearm designs; another uses software to assess printed objects.Database matching can be bypassed by changing dimensions.Automated analysis may misclassify legitimate items like tubes, brackets, levers, and barrels.

ASTM standard must come first

Manufacturers cannot implement the requirement until ASTM International publishes a technical standard. The California Department of Justice must check quarterly for such a standard starting July one, twenty twenty-seven through July one, twenty twenty-nine.

Foundation questions if tech will work

The Electronic Frontier Foundation stated in June twenty twenty-six that mandated detection technology cannot reliably achieve its intended purpose without an established technical benchmark.

“There is no world where the mandated technology actually works as intended”

Law hangs on standard that may never come

If ASTM does not establish the necessary standard by July one, twenty twenty-nine, the Department of Justice stops checking and the law's compliance system never activates.