Resolution criteria

This market resolves YES if any US state or DC enacts legislation that bans the sale of unrestricted 3D printers before January 1, 2030. An "unrestricted 3D printer" is defined as a 3D printer that is not subject to mandatory built-in software or hardware controls, typically designed to prevent the printing of firearms or firearm components.

The resolution will be determined by checking official state legislative databases and news sources documenting the passage and signing of such legislation. Legislation that merely restricts the use of 3D printers for firearms manufacturing does not qualify – the ban must apply to the sale of the printers themselves without such restrictions.

Old printers grandfathered in would NOT cause this market to resolve NO.

Background

New York has proposed legislation that would require manufacturers of 3D printers to block production of guns and gun parts, and Washington is considering a requirement for all 3D printers sold in the state to include "blocking technologies" with scanning algorithms to detect and reject firearm-related shapes. California has proposed legislation that would require a certified firearm blueprint detection algorithm in all 3D printers. These represent the most aggressive regulatory approaches to date, though they focus on mandating restrictions rather than outright bans on printer sales.

Manufacturing 3D-printed firearms is explicitly illegal in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Washington, and possessing an unregistered, unserialized 3D-printed firearm is prohibited in Connecticut, New York, and Oregon. However, these laws target the manufacture and possession of 3D-printed guns, not the printers themselves.

Considerations

The distinction between banning printer sales and regulating their use is legally and practically significant. Current legislative efforts focus on requiring manufacturers to build in restrictions or criminalizing certain uses, rather than prohibiting the sale of unrestricted printers outright. A complete ban on unrestricted printer sales would represent a substantial escalation in regulatory approach and would face potential constitutional challenges regarding property rights and commerce.

This description was generated by AI.