Hispanic Federation and Everytown for Gun Safety Join Forces to Urge New York Lawmakers to Pass Legislation to Stop the Spread of DIY Machine Guns and 3D-Printed Ghost Guns in[...]

ALBANY, NY - Today, Hispanic Federation and Everytown for Gun Safety issued a joint memo to New York State lawmakers, urging the inclusion of legislation to combat the rise of 3D-printed firearms and "DIY machine guns" in the final FY27 budget agreement.

As budget negotiations enter final stages, the organizations are underscoring the importance of measures included in Part C of the Governor's proposed Public Protection and General Government bill that would prevent the production of illegal 3D-printed ghost guns and stop the spread of DIY machine guns, pistols that can be turned into fully automatic weapons with a tiny, Lego-sized "switch." Similar legislation to prevent DIY machine guns is also introduced as a standalone bill (S.399-B, Sen. Myrie / A.199-B, AM Solages) and has 29 Senate sponsors and 60 Assembly sponsors.

In alignment with Governor Hochul's plan to Strengthen Public Safety, mitigating the potential detrimental harm that can stem from 3D-Printed Firearms and DIY Machine Guns is crucial in addressing gun violence in New York. Advancing these key pieces of legislation will foreground the safety of New Yorkers, especially those from vulnerable communities who are often disproportionately impacted by gun violence. These protections are increasingly urgent as growing xenophobic and racist rhetoric contributes to harrowing increases of anti-Latino crimes - including an 18 percent increase in 2025 alone.

Simultaneously, steep cuts to federal social safety net programs are poised to intensify the social determinants of gun violence among vulnerable communities. Easy access to procuring firearms worsens educational outcomes and is a primary driver of intimate partner violence against Latinas. Having legislation in place that restricts access to dangerous, easy-to-produce weapons is vital in ensuring the safety of Latino communities.

"New York has long been a national leader in the fight against gun violence, and now is the time to cement that legacy by tackling the emerging threat of DIY machine guns and 3D-printed firearms with the urgency it deserves," said Jose Davila, Senior Director for Government Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety. "Our communities are often on the front lines of this crisis. As technology evolves to make weapons more lethal and easier to manufacture in secret, our laws must evolve just as quickly to protect our families. And as a Bronx native, I know New York can, and must, prioritize these life-saving protections in the final budget, ensuring every community is safe from harm."

"New York is a leader in public safety, particularly for immigrant and minority communities, and now more than ever it is essential that the state continues to build on that leadership," said Jessica Orozco Guttlein, Senior Vice President for Policy and Communications at Hispanic Federation. "DIY and printed firearms are an unconscionable risk under any circumstance, and those risks are only exacerbated at a time when documented hate crimes against Latinos and immigrant communities are on the rise. We call on Albany to pass these urgent safeguards in the final budget to secure one more step along the path to prosperity and stability for all New Yorkers."

The proposed legislation addresses the "Plastic Pipeline," holding gun manufacturers accountable by requiring that pistols sold in the state are not easily convertible into DIY machine guns, capable of firing at a rate of up to 1,200 rounds per minute. It also sets first-in-the-nation safety standards for 3D printers, requiring that all 3D printers sold in New York include software safeguards to recognize and block the production of illegal firearm parts. By standardizing these consumer safety guardrails, New York can stop these dangerous 3D-printed weapons and illegal accessories before they ever reach the streets.

Recent polling found that 74% of New Yorkers support requiring 3D printers to include software that prevents the illegal production of firearms, while 75% of voters support requiring manufacturers to design pistols that cannot be easily converted into fully automatic weapons. Furthermore, 87% of respondents agree that gun violence prevention should be a primary focus for the current legislative session. And as the federal government continues to roll back lifesaving protections at ATF that keep guns out of dangerous hands, it's up to states like New York to step up and protect communities from evolving threats.

According to research provided by the Hispanic Federation, gun violence continues to take a staggering toll on New York's Latino communities. Nationally, nearly 5,300 Latinos are killed by gun violence annually, with deaths increasing at twice the national rate. Locally, a 2024 NYPD report revealed that 30% of all shooting victims in New York City were Latino. Recent polling by the Hispanic Federation confirms that gun reform remains a top priority for Latino voters as they seek solutions to the violence disproportionately affecting their communities.

Hispanic Federation and Everytown for Gun Safety stand firm in their commitment to protecting all New Yorkers from gun violence. As technology evolves, New York's laws must evolve with it. The time for legislative action is now.