Gov. Hochul announces 3D-printed gun crackdown at State of the State
The proposal would also establish criminal penalties for making or selling ghost guns.
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Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that she has plans to stop illegal homegrown guns in 2026 by cutting them off at the 3D printer.
"Illegal, 3D-printed ghost guns are homemade killing machines," Hochul said. "To fight back, I’m proposing a first-in-the-nation law requiring all 3D printers sold in the state of New York to include software that blocks the printer from creating a gun."
The proposal would also establish criminal penalties for making or selling ghost guns. It's already getting support from Det. Mark Ludwicki at the Mount Vernon Police Department.
"Yes, it will make our jobs easier. Also, we deal with a lot of the gun violence in Mount Vernon, so that would help tremendously," Ludwicki said.
The detective said the ghost guns are common and easy to obtain.
"You could basically order parts online, as long as you have an ID [and are] 21 and over," Ludwicki said.
Robert Steiner works with 3D printers every day as the founder of Studio Roboto. He told News 12 that he supports the proposal, as well.
"As a former member of the military, and having been around guns and explosives, and seeing the damage that they can do, I don't think you should just be able to randomly create a gun or components for a gun, illegally," Steiner said.
Although he's printed some unique pieces at his studio in White Plains, Steiner said he's never made a 3D-printed gun and has no plans to do so.
"I've never had anyone come to me like, 'Hey man, could you do this,'" Steiner said.
