Governor Polis Signs HB 1144 Into Law, Marking Step Forward on Tackling the Spread of 3D-Printed Guns as Advocates Push for Stronger Action

DENVER - Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law HB 1144, legislation to address the growing threat of 3D-printed firearms and illegal gun parts. The bill builds on Colorado's existing ghost gun law and takes steps to help ensure that evolving technology cannot be used to evade existing safeguards designed to keep communities safe, including background checks. HB 1144 bans the 3-D printing of firearms, unfinished frames and receivers, high-capacity magazines, and rapid fire devices.

As 3D-printed ghost guns become increasingly accessible through widespread technology, the passage of HB 1144 marks a critical step in tackling the rise of these unserialized weapons. Law enforcement agencies in Colorado and across the country have already recovered 3D-printed firearms and illegal conversion devices produced using this technology, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Advocates emphasized that while the bill represents meaningful progress, it falls short of fully addressing the threat posed by the online distribution of CAD files, the digital blueprints that enable anyone with a 3D printer to manufacture firearms, parts, and accessories at home.

"As 3D printers become cheaper and more sophisticated, it's no surprise that criminals who would fail a background check - not to mention curious kids - are trying to print weapons," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. "Today, Colorado is taking an important first step to address the emerging threat posed by 3D-printed guns, but we're going to keep fighting until the digital blueprints to make these deadly weapons are also strictly regulated."

"This law exists because advocates refused to accept a world where anyone can download a file and print a deadly weapon at home - and lawmakers listened," said Susan Long, Co-lead of the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. "HB 1144 is an important step forward but make no mistake, it is just the first step as we confront this deadly threat. We're ready to keep pushing for the stronger laws our communities deserve, and to work with new Colorado leaders who won't compromise on gun violence prevention."

"Young people in Colorado helped drive this issue into the spotlight because we're the ones living with the consequences of inaction," said Elise Mueller, leader of Denver East High School Students Demand Action. "This law proves that grassroots pressure works, but it also shows what happens when politics gets in the way of the strongest possible solutions. We're not done. We're going to keep organizing for a governor who will be brave enough to go further: fully regulating 3D gun files, passing permit-to-purchase laws, and enacting a full ban on military style semiautomatic firearms. Our generation is done settling for half measures when our lives are on the line."

Ghost guns, including 3D-printed firearms, have surged in recent years, with tens of thousands recovered at crime scenes nationwide and the vast majority untraceable. These weapons can be made at home using commercially available 3D printers and downloadable CAD files, bypassing background checks and other safeguards. Law enforcement in Colorado has already encountered 3D-printed firearms and illegal rapid-fire devices produced using this technology. The increasing accessibility of this technology has made regulating both physical components and digital instructions critical to public safety.

Advocates are calling on Colorado leaders to build on this progress next session by passing legislation to:

• Regulate the distribution, sale, and possession of CAD files used to manufacture 3D-printed firearms, parts, and accessories, and
• Require new 3D printers sold in Colorado be equipped with blocking technology that ensures the printer cannot be used to manufacture firearms, core firearm components, and specified illegal firearm accessories.