> The primary goal is clear and simple: to require 3D printer manufacturers to use a state-certified algorithm that checks digital design files for firearm components and blocks print jobs that would produce prohibited parts.

"state-certified algorithm" has a really nice tyrannic ring to it. I am sure once this has passed the rich people can finally sleep at night knowing they are safe from roving gangs of armed Mangiones.

▲

qurren 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

A 3D printer, at least of the Prusa variety, is really just a bunch of stepper motors and a dumb motor driver executing a series of effectively "rotate by X steps" commands, which is what the gcode file is. It doesn't know what it's printing. It doesn't even know that it's a printer.

If they wanted a gate on designs it would have to happen in slicing software, not the actual printer.

▲

xp84 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Yup. Wait till our genius lawmakers figure that out! Then we'll have all software that can be used to do that job require registration and inspection to certify that it "won't print gun parts." Or maybe "all software" for good measure, in case any sneaky so-and-sos try to make an IRC client with a secret "slicing easter-egg." Better yet, all software of any kind has to be sold through an App Store so we can have Google, Microsoft and Apple gatekeep. That'll work. Gun problem solved.

▲

Teever 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

They'll still need some DRM in the printer so it will only accept signed gcode that came from the the slicer.

Otherwise it's pretty trivial for someone to just bypass the slicer and hand write the gcode.

▲

ancientorange 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Unable to find the article quickly, but, I read a compelling perspective recently: DoD vendors seeking to restrict use of 3d printed replacement parts that they would normally supply. There was some speculative tie-in with the recent wave of consumer level regulation.

	▲	Polizeiposaune 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Meanwhile, the US Army has delegated authority to 3d-print replacement parts to commanders in the field: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/army-allowing-commanders... “We’re basically saying, ‘Hey colonel, hey general, you have to make the decision. If a door handle is broken on an ISV, you need to get it into the field. If you think that replacement door handle is sufficient, send it out.’ “A lot of howitzers are down right now for very simple pieces that we could 3D print and have known how to 3D print, and actually have the design files to 3D print, but we haven’t done it,” Driscoll said. “So we, the Army, have kicked off a very aggressive approach to that.”

▲

qurren 21 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

If you put the DRM in the printer I can hard wire the stepper motors to some H-bridges and an Arduino and run the unsigned gcode.

I have no intention to print weapons, but just saying that this law does nothing.

▲

MisterTea 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Indeed. I grew up in a a machine shop than ran both manual and CNC machines and spent my summers in front of mills and lathes running jobs. I now do industrial automation and machine repair. With that being said, yeah, no way will this work. Ever.

And software? My Bridgeport and Logan were built before computers were available to the home consumer. Good luck stopping someone like me.

▲

cucumber3732842 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

"Error, you cannot print toiletpart.stl because there is no open permit for the the address at which this printer is registered, contact a licensed plumber during normal business hours"

Don't laugh, this sort of regulatory capture type crap is exactly where it'll trickle down to if they get what they want for guns.

	▲	alterom 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		Also: "I see you are trying to print a hollow cylinder. Sorry, you can't print gun barrels" Also: "The Letter_C.stl can't be printed because it is an 88% percent match for a gun trigger"

▲

duxup 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I remember the hysterical "ban algorithms" type legislation that kept showing up in states for a while.

But like all humans we're often ok as long as it is "our guy" or "our algorithm".

▲

fooker 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Straight out of 1984.

▲

hahn-kev 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

To be fair that's more or less how we prevent printers from printing counterfeit money.