Report Highlights: Federal and state laws allow prosecutors to charge unlicensed civilians with manufacturing, possessing, or transferring 3D-printed firearms.
- Unserialized 3D-printed firearms, known as “ghost guns,” are illegal in seven states.
- The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 and a 2022 ATF rule permit federal prosecution for 3D-printing firearms if certain legal requirements are not met.
- Manufacturing 3D-printed firearms is explicitly illegal in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Washington.
- Possessing an unregistered, unserialized 3D-printed firearm is prohibited in Connecticut, New York, and Oregon.
- Selling or transferring an unserialized 3D-printed firearm is illegal in all 50 states.
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Methodology
Not all ghost guns are 3D-printed, but every unserialized 3D-printed firearm qualifies as a ghost gun.
The following sections outline state and federal laws that may result in prosecution for manufacturing, possessing, or transferring 3D-printed firearms. All information presented in this article is sourced from official state government statutes.
Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. This information has not been reviewed by a legal professional and should not be interpreted as legal guidance.
Definitions
To better understand 3D-printed gun laws, it’s important to define key terms commonly used in state legislation.
- Ghost Guns: Unserialized and/or privately manufactured firearms
- 3D-Printed Firearms: Ghost guns produced using a three-dimensional printer
- Untraceable Firearms: Unserialized and unregistered firearms
- Undetectable Firearms: Firearms constructed entirely from materials that cannot be detected by a metal detector
How Many States Have Banned 3D-Printed Guns?
Seven states – Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, and Washington – have laws that prohibit or regulate the manufacture and possession of 3D-printed firearms, allowing for prosecution in certain cases.
While state laws vary, each of these states restricts unlicensed civilians from possessing, manufacturing, or transferring unserialized firearms.
What Happens If You Get Caught With a Ghost Gun
Manufacturing, possessing, transferring, or transporting a ghost gun can lead to fines and imprisonment.
Violating federal laws and ATF regulations – such as manufacturing an undetectable firearm or transferring an unserialized firearm – can carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
State laws vary, but prosecutions often result in fines or prison sentences of up to eight years per offense.
Continue reading 3D-Printed Gun Laws by State: A 2025 Overview of State Laws and Ghost Gun Legislation on Ammo.com