A proposed New York State law would require fingerprints and a background check before a person could purchase a 3D printer because of fears of 3D-printed firearms.
The bill, AB A8132, would require anyone purchasing a 3D printer capable of printing a firearm or firearm parts to submit fingerprints and be submitted to the Division of Criminal Justice Services for a criminal background check. Anyone who is prohibited from owning firearms would not be allowed to buy a 3D printer. Although the proposed law specifically mentions only regulating 3D printers and computers capable of printing guns and gun parts, all 3D printers can produce these items.
This means anyone with a criminal record will be prevented from buying a 3D printer in the Empire State.
“Sale of certain three-dimensional printers. 1. Any retailer of a three-dimensional printer sold in this state which is capable of printing a firearm, or any components of a firearm, is required and authorized to request and receive criminal history information concerning such purchaser from the Division of Criminal Justice Services in accordance with the provisions of Section Eight Hundred Forty-Five-B of the executive law. Access to and the use of such information shall be governed by the provisions of such section. The division of criminal justice services is authorized to submit fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check,” the bill reads.
The bill also gives the Division of Criminal Justice Services 15 days to perform a background check and approve the sale of the 3D printer.
This time delay will effectively add a waiting period to buying a 3D printer. It also will affect mail-order printers since most devices are not sold through brick-and-mortar retailers. The vast majority of printers are sold via the internet. Only a few retail stores, like Micro Center, carry 3D printers. Most buyers purchase their devices directly from the manufacturers or sites like Amazon.
“Within fifteen business days after receiving a request for criminal history information pursuant to this section, the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services shall review such criminal history information and determine whether such purchaser has been convicted anywhere of a felony or a serious offense or who is not the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense which would disqualify such individual from being licensed to carry or possess a firearm,” the bill reads.
Even though this law targets the 3D printing of firearms, it will affect anyone trying to buy a 3D printer.
People using 3D printers to print firearms are in the extreme minority of makers. Most people use 3D printers to print household objects and trinkets. Schools use 3D printers to teach students about engineering and design. A 3D printer lets these students prototype and test their designs quickly.
Architecture firms use 3D printers to produce models and showcase their designs. Colleges have rooms filled with 3D printers, and almost all libraries now have maker’s rooms with the machines. None of these uses involve firearms, yet these devices will be regulated like guns. It also disadvantages people with a criminal past trying to turn around their lives by removing the opportunity to use an emerging technology.
This bill shows a misunderstanding of the technology. The bill’s author does not understand 3D printing and all its uses. If this bill passes, it will have rippling effects past the firearms world.
NY Lawmakers Want Background Checks & Waiting Periods for 3D Printers – A8132
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
And then, if they get this, OFC they will need to have it apply everywhere, so that people can’t bring said printer(s) back from another state. Which will create a black market for smuggled printers. Plus a 3D printer can be printed by other 3D printers! So it would have to devolve into a worldwide ban on plastic, or something equally nonsensical. This road only ends up in the “ban everything” idea that the insane typically revert to, rather than wake up to the fact that inanimate objects do not have wills of their own. As crazy as that is,… Read more »
Just another case of unhinged Democrats trying to create a crises when there is none , to take rights away from lawbiding citizens
Where does NY’s lunacy end? If this goes through, 3-D printer supplies (printer filament, adhesive glue and glass plates) will be considered “ammunition” for these printers and regulated as well. NY politicians must be pre-selected from a defective gene pool to account for the absolute stupidity of their actions. Vote ’em OUT!
Just another reason for NY residents to go shopping out of state. Spread the pain out a little bit more, so that non-gun-owners in the state, who vote for these democrat marxists, can experience the some of the joy that gun-owners have to deal with.
My Comment was “Approved” but not posted here. My other comment on “waiting for approval” was deleted here. My e-mail to Brian stating my “approved” comment was returned to me undeliverable. Sorry men, I had nice input.
How about background checks for a permit to commit a crime?
What is next, background check and wait time for CNC milling machine,
for reloading manuals at the public library?
F ny !!!
OMG that is so stupid. More laws that only the law abiding will follow. 3D printers are so prevalent and available this makes no sense. Literally, they can buy them online and print more of them. Creating an entirely new revenue stream for the black market which generally doesn’t follow laws or worry about penalties.
Drastic action is important. Some liberal might get shot.