Lawmakers in Washington are tackling the issues of untraceable firearms with a proposed legislative piece aimed at ghost guns. Introduced as HB 2320, this bill would further regulate the manufacturing of firearms through advanced technologies such as 3D printing. KOMO News reports that the bill is under consideration following a significant uptick in cases involving these difficult-to-trace weapons, with federal prosecutors in western Washington noting these firearms' increasing prevalence.
At a House committee hearing, supporters stated the urgency to plug the hole that currently permits the manufacture of ghost guns using 3D printers and CNC milling machines. "That's one of the dangers of these ghost guns, privately manufactured guns, they're not traceable, and so there's just no sign of them," Asst. U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg told KOMO News, with regard to the legislation's importance in crime tracing. According to an interview with State Rep. Osman Salahuddin, the bill’s sponsor, "With a 3D printer that costs a few hundred and a digital file that can be downloaded online, someone can now manufacture an untraceable firearm at home."
On the opposition's side, concerns have been raised about the bill's potential overreach. State Rep. Jim Walsh expressed anxiety to KOMO News regarding the language possibly dragging makers of non-firearm items into legal scrutiny. Furthermore, the KHQ Local News social media post highlighted criticisms pointing to unintended impacts on general-purpose 3D printer owners and constitutional concerns.
Everytown for Gun Safety underscores the human toll of ghost guns, recounting the tragedy of Jenine Lewis, a Moms Demand Action volunteer whose son was murdered by a ghost gun. "Ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms are a growing threat because they allow people to bypass background checks and other lifesaving gun safety laws," testified Lewis, advocating for the bill's passage to prevent further violence. As the bill now awaits a committee vote to proceed, it raises a critical question for the lawmakers on balancing the innovation of technology with the precedence of public safety.
