In a move aimed at combating the spread of 3D-printed firearms, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. has reached out to Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of consumer 3D printers, urging tighter security measures. D.A. Bragg's office took action following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold federal regulations that impose serial number requirements on ghost gun parts and mandate background checks for ghost gun kit purchasers.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office wants Creality to integrate software capable of detecting and blocking the printing of gun parts. Additionally, D.A. Bragg has asked for the removal of firearm-related CAD files from the company's cloud platform and for the prohibition of weapon creation in the firm's user agreements. Despite the decline in homicides by 20% and shootings by 45% between 2021 and 2024 in Manhattan, the issue of 3D-printed guns remains a focal point of Bragg's crime-fighting agenda.
“We are calling on companies that sell 3D-printers to work with us to stem the flow of dangerous weapons into our communities by implementing targeted, commonsense fixes. Too often, gun violence tragically takes innocent lives and tears at the fabric of our communities. Over the past several years, the number of illegal, 3D-printed firearms and ghost guns has increased significantly. We have an aggressive and holistic approach to combatting gun violence alongside our law enforcement partners but we cannot do it alone. We are hopeful that we can partner with these companies and make a meaningful impact on public safety,” said District Attorney Bragg. Seized Creality printers have revealed evidence of their use in criminal activities, highlighting the reality of this burgeoning threat. Bragg's letter to Creality is a part of a broader strategy that has included the introduction of legislation aimed at classifying the manufacture of 3D-printed and ghost guns, and gun parts as a felony, as reported by the D.A.’s Office.
With previous convictions such as those involving Luigi Mangione and Cliffie Thomspon for operating illegal ghost gun operations, the D.A.’s Office is committed to a rigorous approach to intercept the production and possession of ghost guns. The Office is also investing in community initiatives by pledging up to $300,000 for programs that engage young New Yorkers in productive summer activities.
