1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose Governor Hochul's proposed legislation requiring 3D printer manufacturers to implement technology that blocks the production of guns and gun parts. While I understand the intent to address ghost guns, this approach is fundamentally flawed and would criminalize legitimate technology without achieving its stated public safety goals. The proposed mandatory blocking technology is technically unworkable. 3D printers operate by following geometric instructions to deposit material layer by layer. There is no reliable way for a printer to distinguish between a firearm component and any other object with similar dimensions. A trigger guard has the same basic geometry as a coat hook. A receiver shares structural similarities with countless mechanical parts. Any detection system would either fail to catch actual gun parts or generate massive false positives that would cripple legitimate manufacturing, prototyping, and hobbyist uses. This legislation would effectively criminalize an entire class of manufacturing tools that have revolutionized product development, medical device creation, educational applications, and small business innovation. The burden would fall on manufacturers who cannot implement impossible technology and on users who would face criminal liability for possessing CAD files that might have dual uses. The December 2024 case involving Brian Thompson's killing, while tragic, demonstrates that determined criminals will find ways to obtain weapons regardless of 3D printer restrictions. Meanwhile, this legislation would create a false sense of security while imposing significant costs on legitimate users and manufacturers. Rather than pursuing unenforceable technology mandates, I urge you to focus on evidence-based approaches that address the actual criminal use of firearms without restricting access to transformative manufacturing technology. The proposal announced on January 8, 2026, sets a dangerous precedent of regulating tools based on potential misuse rather than actual criminal behavior. I ask that you oppose this legislation and work toward solutions that protect both public safety and technological innovation.