# Stop the 3D Printing Ban

> A civic engagement website providing verified contact information for legislators in Washington, California, and New York who have introduced bills that would effectively ban consumer 3D printers through surveillance software mandates, government-approved hardware rosters, and heavy fines. The site helps citizens contact their representatives to oppose these bills.

This website was created in February 2026 in response to 6 bills introduced across 3 US states that threaten consumer 3D printing. The site is non-partisan and encourages polite, respectful communication with legislators, assuming they are misinformed rather than malicious.

Key facts:
- 6 bills across 3 states: WA HB 2320, WA HB 2321, NY A2228, NY S.9005, CA AB 1263, CA AB-2047
- Bills propose: mandatory surveillance software on all 3D printers, government-approved printer rosters, fines up to $25,000, criminal penalties for modifying your own hardware
- Affected groups: hobbyists, educators, STEM programs, small businesses, engineers, product designers, makerspaces, libraries
- The site provides: legislator phone numbers, email addresses, pre-filled email links, phone call scripts, and a polite tone guide

## Bills

- [WA HB 2320](https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2320&Year=2025): Prohibits private use of 3D printers and milling machines for manufacturing firearms and firearms parts in Washington state
- [WA HB 2321](https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025): Requires 3D printers to include blocking features that cannot be defeated by users with significant technical skill
- [NY A2228](https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?term=2025&bn=A2228): New York Assembly bill requiring firearm detection software on 3D printers
- [NY S.9005](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9005): New York Senate bill sweeping in CNC mills and anything capable of subtractive manufacturing
- [CA AB 1263](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1263): California bill sponsored by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson requiring firearm detection on 3D printers
- [CA AB-2047](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2047): California Firearm Printing Prevention Act by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, banning sale of 3D printers not on a DOJ-approved roster

## Legislators — Contact Information

- [Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D-48), Washington](https://leg.wa.gov/legislators/member/osman-salahuddin): Chief sponsor of WA HB 2320/2321. Phone: (360) 786-7936. Office: 328 John L. O'Brien Building, Olympia, WA 98504
- [Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-38), New York](https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Jenifer-Rajkumar): Primary sponsor of NY A2228. Email: rajkumarj@nyassembly.gov. District phone: 718-805-0950. Albany phone: 518-455-4621
- [Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-39), New York](https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Catalina-Cruz): Co-sponsor of NY A2228. Email: cruzc@nyassembly.gov. District phone: 718-458-5367. Albany phone: 518-455-4567
- [Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-65), California](https://a65.asmdc.org/): Sponsor and lead author of CA AB 1263. Email: assemblymember.gipson@assembly.ca.gov. Capitol phone: (916) 319-2065. District phone: (562) 252-0865
- [Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-16), California](https://bauer-kahan.asmdc.org/): Author of CA AB-2047. Capitol phone: (916) 319-2016. District phone: (925) 244-1600

## Why These Bills Are Harmful

- Technically impossible: No software can reliably distinguish between a 3D-printed firearm component and a legitimate part like a pipe fitting or bracket
- Kills STEM education: Schools, libraries, and makerspaces would need government-approved surveillance software or stop using 3D printers entirely
- Hurts small business: Product designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs rely on 3D printers daily for prototyping and manufacturing
- Won't stop bad actors: Anyone with criminal intent can bypass software restrictions or use alternative manufacturing methods
- Dangerous precedent: If passed, similar legislation could spread to other states, effectively creating a national ban
- Backdoor national regulation: State-level bans on non-approved printers would force manufacturers to comply nationwide or exit those markets

## News Coverage

- [Adafruit — California's new bill requires DOJ-approved 3D printers that report on themselves](https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/02/19/californias-new-bill-requires-doj-approved-3d-printers-that-report-on-themselves/): Detailed analysis of CA AB-2047
- [PCMag — California lawmaker wants to hardcode 3D printers with firearm blocking](https://www.pcmag.com/news/california-lawmaker-wants-to-hardcode-3d-printers-with-firearm-blocking): Coverage of the California bills
- [Gizmodo — Adafruit warns new ghost gun laws could have unintended consequences for 3D printers](https://gizmodo.com/adafruit-warns-new-ghost-gun-laws-could-have-unintended-consequences-for-3d-printers-2000718532): Industry perspective on unintended consequences
- [Adafruit — Washington's 3D printing bills are bad for STEM, bad for business, and bad for open source](https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/01/25/washingtons-3d-printing-bills-are-bad-for-stem-bad-for-business-and-bad-for-open-source-3d-printing/): Analysis of Washington state bills
- [Adafruit — What a load of filament: The case against 3D printer gun detection](https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/02/04/what-a-load-of-filament-the-case-against-3d-printer-gun-detection/): Technical analysis of why detection software is infeasible

## FAQ

- [Is 3D printing being banned in the United States?](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/#faq): Not yet, but legislators in WA, CA, and NY have introduced bills in 2026 that could effectively ban consumer 3D printers
- [What bills are trying to ban 3D printers?](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/#faq): 6 bills across 3 states — WA HB 2320/2321, NY A2228/S.9005, CA AB 1263/AB-2047
- [Will my 3D printer become illegal?](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/#faq): If these bills pass, printers not on a government-approved list could become illegal to sell or own in those states
- [How can I help stop the 3D printing ban?](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/#faq): Call or email the legislators. Phone calls are most effective. Be polite and assume they are misinformed
- [I don't live in these states. Can I still help?](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/#faq): Yes — these bills could set a precedent for national regulation. Share the page and contact legislators directly
- [Does this affect schools and STEM education?](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/#faq): Yes — schools, libraries, and makerspaces could be forced to install surveillance software or stop using 3D printers

## Optional

- [Boing Boing — Stupidity on steroids: Three US states want your 3D printer to snitch on what you print](https://boingboing.net/2026/02/19/stupidity-on-steroids-three-u-s-states-want-your-3d-printer-to-snitch-on-what-you-print.html): Overview article covering all three states
- [Website source and credits](https://www.dont-ban-3dprinters.com/): Created by Yuto Horiuchi (@YuTR0N), inspired by Blayne Alan Sapelli (@BlayneSapelli). Built with Manus 1.6 Max