Washington wants to make 3D printers legally required to block weapons

In the US state of Washington, a bill has been introduced that aims to technically secure 3D printers against the manufacture of weapons and illegal weapon parts. House Bill 2321 has been read for the first time in the House and is still in the committee stage. It therefore remains to be seen whether it will even come to a vote in the entire House of Representatives. The initiative is part of a broader debate on privately operated manufacturing technology and homemade firearms.

At the heart of the bill is a requirement for manufacturers and distributors of 3D printers. From July 1, 2027, they will no longer be allowed to sell devices in Washington unless they have “blocking features.” This refers to software mechanisms designed to reject print jobs for firearms and certain prohibited components. This block is described as a “firearms blueprint detection algorithm.” The functions would have to reject print requests for weapons or illegal parts with a “high degree of reliability” while also preventing the control from being circumvented.

The draft focuses on frames and receivers, i.e., those components that are legally regulated. The planned solution relies on file verification prior to printing. A mandatory “preprint authentication” step is envisaged, in which the printer first approves or blocks the design using the recognition mechanism. In addition, the state attorney general is to maintain a database of weapon-related designs classified as illegal if users do not have the necessary licenses. The draft bill specifies a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of US$15,000 for violations.

Criticism focuses on the practical feasibility of the bill. Opponents point to possible loopholes, difficulties in enforcement, and data protection issues when design files are systematically checked. In addition, they argue that the majority of “ghost guns” continue to come from kits and traditional supply chains, not from fully printed weapons.