Surge in 3D-Printed Firearms Sparks Concern Among Advocates and Law Enforcement

Fri Oct 17 2025 06:10:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Gun safety advocates and police officials are raising alarms over the increasing presence of 3D-printed firearms at crime scenes, fearing a new wave of untraceable weapons may soon overshadow ghost guns.

At a recent summit in New York City, key stakeholders discussed the alarming rise in 3D-printed firearms, which have surged from just over 30 recoveries in 2020 to more than 300 in 2024. With advancements in 3D printing technology and widespread access to online blueprints, advocates fear these unregulated guns could threaten public safety. Efforts to regulate such firearms face challenges, as they fall outside current regulations set by the ATF, prompting calls for new legislation and voluntary industry safeguards.

As police departments around the country report a surge in 3D-printed firearms turning up at crime scenes, gun safety advocates and law enforcement officials are warning that a new generation of untraceable weapons could soon eclipse the 'ghost guns' currently flooding U.S. streets.

At a summit in New York City on Thursday, the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety gathered policymakers, academics, and law enforcement officials to confront this escalating challenge. The concern is that as 3D printers become cheaper and more sophisticated, along with the rapid online spread of blueprints for gun parts, the U.S. may face a new wave of unregulated homemade weapons that evade serial number tracking and background checks.

Data collected by Everytown from approximately two dozen police departments highlighted the rapid growth of this issue: In 2020, just over 30 3D-printed guns were recovered, while by 2024, that number had skyrocketed to over 300. Though these figures remain a small fraction of the tens of thousands of firearms seized annually, the trend mirrors the alarming trajectory of ghost guns, which are build-it-yourself firearms that have resisted federal regulation for years.

'We are now starting to see what feels very familiar,' said Nick Suplina, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown. 'This phenomenon is doubling or tripling year over year in certain major cities, necessitating discussions on preventative strategies.'

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' rules imposed in 2022 requiring serial numbers, background checks, and age verification for ghost gun kits were upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this year. However, the challenge remains for 3D-printed weapons since they are not produced or sold through traditional firearms channels, leaving gaps in regulation.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has emphasized the need for proactive measures, urging printer manufacturers and online platforms to take down gun designs and improve safeguards against misuse. He highlighted a recent update to YouTube’s policies prompted by incidents where tutorials for creating guns were easily accessible.

Advocates like Bragg and Everytown continue to call for legislative action to criminalize the manufacturing of untraceable firearms and the distribution of their blueprints, aiming to prevent tragedy before it strikes.

A key player in this debate, John Amin, founder of the company Print&Go, expressed a commitment to preventing illegal weapon manufacturing through proactive checks in their 3D printing processes. 'We must focus on curbing misuse without demonizing the technology itself,' said Amin, noting existing measures such as automated detection software that can identify and block the production of firearm components.

The outlook remains uncertain as stakeholders seek innovative solutions to balance technological innovation with community safety.