Criminals have sought to conceal their illegal activities for years, and with advancements in technology, 3D-printed weapons are becoming a significant concern. In California, a proposed law aims to mandate firearm-blocking technology in every 3D printer to counter the production of "ghost guns." These weapons, which were once thought untraceable, are being reevaluated due to a recent study published in the journal Forensic Chemistry.
A research team of four discovered that some polymers used in 3D-printing have detectable variations due to the additives and production processes involved. For instance, weapons made from Polylactic Acid (PLA), a common 3D-printing plastic, can exhibit distinct chemical differences based on their source. This means it may be possible to identify where a particular PLA was manufactured, although tracing a 3D-printed weapon back to the individual who purchased the materials remains challenging. Traditional tracing methods, including ballistics, still face significant hurdles.
In the U.S., the rise of 3D-printed weapons is alarming, with USAFacts reporting that the number of Privately Made Firearms (PMFs) surged by over 1,000% from 2017 to 2021, increasing from 1,629 to 19,273. These PMFs, which include 3D-printed weapons, do not bear serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. The availability of designs for these firearms is also escalating; an organization called Everytown for Gun Safety noted that over 1,000 unique files were hosted on easily accessible platforms like GitHub and Google Drive in 2023.
While there is no federal law prohibiting individuals who can legally own firearms from creating their own, state laws differ. For instance, in California, making a 3D PMF can lead to legal complications. Federal regulations do require that firearms contain sufficient metal to be detectable by metal detectors, meaning completely plastic PMFs would be illegal.
The study’s findings indicate a step forward in tracking these weapons, but more research is needed to perfect these tracing methods. Researchers are optimistic, but the reality is that 3D-printed weapons continue to pose a complex challenge for law enforcement.
For further reading, see the original article on SlashGear and studies regarding legal implications and different laws surrounding 3D-printed firearms.