So what's next? People will re-flash their printers with an open-source firmware that won't do the checks? Who's liable in this case?

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cge 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> People will re-flash their printers with an open-source firmware that won't do the checks?

The text of the bill suggests that it would make printers capable of being reflashed with an open source firmware illegal to sell, as the legal requirements for the blocking would include preventing it from being circumvented. The law would also make having a printer sold mail-order into the state illegal entirely. It’s not clear how parts-built machines like Vorons would be handled.

It appears to only cover sales, however. Possession of files for firearm components would be made illegal, but seemingly not a printer without the restrictions.

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mrkstu 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

There is close to zero chance the current Supreme Court would find a law that criminalizes possession of a file describing the making a gun to be constitutional.

	▲	direwolf20 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		That depends if the defendant votes Republican or Democrat, unfortunately.

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brandonr49 9 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I wonder if you can sell the printer shell without the main PCB and just open source the main board design. Manufacture and sale of that board as a distinct entity seems tough to stop. Especially because the board can have non-3D printer use cases which it advertises as the main ones.

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tombert 15 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Also, if I wanted to print a gun, there are thousands upon thousands of older Creality and Prusa printers that I could buy used. My CR-10 isn't connected to the internet, it's running a FOSS Marlin release.

It will be very strange and funny if there is a registry of 3D printers before there's a registry of guns, and for that matter, it will be very funny if it becomes easier to buy a gun than a 3D printer, with the reasoning being that 3D printers can print guns.

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brewdad 14 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

There would be a presumption of intent. Probably an "aggravated" add-on to whatever charges you might be facing.

I highly doubt we would send goon squads door to door to check your firmware. Then again, given today's situation in MN, I wouldn't rule it out either.