In response to a rise in 3D-printed firearms at crime scenes, gun safety advocates and law enforcement officials are alerting the public about the emergence of untraceable weapons that could surpass the existing “ghost guns” on the streets of America.
Everytown for Gun Safety is hosting a summit in New York City to address this growing concern. With 3D printers becoming more affordable and advanced, and gun blueprints spreading online, there are fears of a surge in homemade weapons that can evade tracking and background checks.
Data from Everytown shows a significant increase in the recovery of 3D-printed guns, from just over 30 in 2020 to over 300 by 2024. While still a fraction of total firearm seizures, this trend resembles the early stages of ghost guns, which were once unregulated.
Nick Suplina from Everytown remarked on the familiar growth pattern of these firearms, prompting discussions on halting their proliferation. While regulations have been enforced on ghost-gun kits, addressing 3D-printed weapons poses more challenges, as they fall outside traditional firearm industry oversight.
The summit seeks cooperation from 3D-printer companies and online platforms hosting gun blueprints, aiming to explore self-regulation and legislative solutions. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has urged companies to remove gun designs and implement safeguards against misuse, resulting in policy updates by digital platforms.
Industry players like Print&Go are taking proactive measures to prevent illegal weapon production through human oversight and automated detection. The focus remains on preventing misuse while embracing the potential of 3D printing technology.
Keyphrase: 3D-printed firearms trend