3D Printed Gun Recoveries Increase by Nearly 1000% Across 20 Major Cities

(Houston, TX) - Today, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare joined prosecutors and law enforcement leaders from across the country to urge the most popular 3D printer manufacturers to adopt safeguards that prevent the production of illegal firearms and firearm components using consumer-grade 3D printers.

In a joint letter to manufacturers, organized by Prosecutors Against Gun Violence and signed by Teare, prosecutors call on Creality, Bambu Labs, and Flashforge to implement technology that can identify and block the printing of firearms and firearm parts on their machines. The request comes amid growing concerns about the proliferation of so-called “ghost guns,” unserialized firearms that can be manufactured privately and are difficult for law enforcement to trace.

“Technology shouldn’t give dangerous individuals a shortcut to dodge background checks, build untraceable guns, or undermine public safety,” Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said. “As 3D printing becomes more widespread, manufacturers must adopt commonsense safeguards to curb this type of weapon production, and lawmakers need to step up and act.”

Prosecutors also warned that 3D-printed weapons and firearm components allow individuals, especially people convicted of felonies or domestic abuse, including those with restraining orders, to circumvent background checks and prohibitions on owning firearms. They may also be able to evade metal detectors at critical security checkpoints, increasing the risk of violence in public facilities like courthouses or airports.

3D-printed firearms have increasingly appeared in criminal investigations across the United States, including Houston and across Texas. In 2022, a man charged with shooting 3 HPD officers used 3D printed gun parts. Earlier this month an 18-year-old in El Paso was arrested after allegedly firing a 3D-printed handgun inside city limits. Similar cases involving 3D-printed ghost guns, machine gun conversion devices, and illegal firearm manufacturing operations have been reported in California, Kentucky, Louisiana, and New York. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, 3D printed gun recoveries have increased by nearly 1000% in the last five years across 20 major cities.

The letter also highlights New York’s recently enacted law requiring 3D printers sold in the state to include safeguards that prevent the printing of firearms and firearm parts. Similar legislation is under consideration in California and Washington. The coalition is urging manufacturers to voluntarily adopt safety measures consistent with New York’s standards nationwide and has requested a meeting with company representatives to discuss solutions.

Letter to Bambu Labs

Letter to Creality

Letter to Flashforge

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