Colorado is engaged on a invoice that will make it unlawful to 3D print firearms and gun components

A collective of Colorado lawmakers needs to place an finish to “ghost weapons” and their rising reputation. Earlier this week, the state’s Home Judiciary Committee voted in a 7-4 majority to cross the invoice, HB26-1144, alongside for a call with the complete Home of Representatives. The proposed legislation would “prohibit the usage of a three-dimensional printer, or related know-how, to make a firearm or a firearm element.”

Ghost weapons are sometimes constructed from 3D printers or related machines with out serial numbers, making them nearly unattainable to hint and permitting customers to skirt the federal necessities for buying a firearm. Whereas the invoice targets utilizing a 3D printer to make weapons, large-capacity magazines and different associated elements, it even bans possessing and distributing the directions to fabricate weapons on this means. Nevertheless, these guidelines could be exempt for federally licensed firearm producers.

“These ghost weapons are more and more discovered at crime scenes, making it more durable for legislation enforcement to trace down a suspect as a result of the gun isn’t traceable,” the invoice’s sponsor, Lindsay Gilchrist, mentioned in a press launch.

Previous to this proposal, Colorado handed a legislation in 2023 that banned proudly owning ghost weapons or making frames for them. Whereas SB23-279 laid the groundwork, HB26-1144 could be seen as the following step because it’s rather more encompassing by concentrating on ghost weapons even earlier than they’re made. In keeping with the invoice, first-time violations shall be handled as a misdemeanor, whereas repeat offenses shall be upgraded to a felony cost. Trying forward, HB26-1144 nonetheless has to safe a vote from each the Colorado Senate and Home of Representatives earlier than being delivered to the governor to be signed into legislation.