This bill makes it illegal to distribute digital files or computer code over the internet that can be used to 3D print firearms or firearm parts. The legislation targets the specific problem of untraceable, plastic-based guns created using widely available 3D printers, which can bypass metal detectors and evade the federal firearms tracing system that law enforcement relies on to solve crimes. The bill's sponsors argue that since 3D-printed guns lack serial numbers, they make it easier for people prohibited from owning guns—such as convicted felons and domestic abusers—to obtain weapons while avoiding detection. The law affects anyone who shares or distributes these digital firearm plans online, though it does not restrict possession of 3D printers themselves or regulate computer programmers' First Amendment rights more broadly. No specific funding or implementation timeline is outlined in the legislation.
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