New York – Hochul Proposes New Penalties and Safety Standards to Curb 3D-Printed Guns
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a new package of firearm measures aimed at limiting the spread of 3D-printed guns and other illegal weapons, including steps that could affect how printers and pistols are designed and how police report gun recoveries.
The proposals, part of Hochul’s 2026 State of the State agenda, would create criminal penalties for unlicensed manufacturing and sale of 3D-printed firearms, and would make it a crime to knowingly sell, distribute, or possess digital instructions intended for illegally making a gun or key components without the required license.
Another proposal would require local police departments and sheriff’s offices to report any recovered 3D-printed guns to the state’s Criminal Gun Clearinghouse database, which is maintained by the New York State Police.
Hochul also is calling for “minimum safety standards” for 3D printer manufacturers—described as a first-in-the-nation approach—to add technology that blocks the printing of firearms and firearm components.
A separate measure would require gun manufacturers to design pistols so they cannot be quickly modified into illegal machine guns using conversion devices such as so-called “switches,” the governor’s office said. Governor Kathy Hochul
For families, the immediate day-to-day impact hinges on legislative action in Albany. Parents concerned about illegal guns can follow updates through their local school district safety pages and local law enforcement notices, and continue practicing safe, legal firearm storage at home.
Hochul’s office has pointed to recent declines in shootings statewide as part of the rationale for expanding enforcement and prevention tools.
This article was produced by a education parenting today journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
