• California’s AB-2047 mandates DOJ‑approved 3D printers with firearm‑blocking tech for general‑purpose machines. • Only printers on a DOJ‑maintained roster can be sold; non‑listed models banned after March 1, 2029. • Manufacturers must attest each make/model; DOJ publishes quarterly updates, imposing civil penalties up to $25k per violation. • The bill criminalizes disabling or bypassing blocking software, labeling it a misdemeanor. • Critics argue open‑source firmware and limited printer processing make enforcement impractical and easy to circumvent. • Similar legislation in Washington and New York highlights growing national push to regulate 3D printing for firearms.
Article Summaries:
- California’s Assembly Bill 2047, the “California Firearm Printing Prevention Act,” would bar the sale or transfer of any 3‑D printer unless it appears on a DOJ‑approved roster of models equipped with “firearm‑blocking technology.” Manufacturers must submit attestations for each make and model; printers not listed by March 1, 2029 would be prohibited. The bill also makes it a misdemeanor to disable or circumvent the blocking software and imposes civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. The proposal follows similar measures in Washington and New York, sparking criticism that the technology is hard to enforce, can be bypassed, and would burden general‑purpose makers, educators, and manufacturers across the state.
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