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DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prevent gun violence by prohibiting the three-dimensional printing of firearms, large-capacity magazines or other firearm components. HB26-1114, sponsored by Representatives Lindsay Gilchrist and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, passed by a vote of 7-4.
“Ghost guns circumnavigate Colorado’s gun violence prevention laws like universal background checks, the three-day waiting period and laws that prevent domestic violence abusers from accessing a gun,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “These ghost guns are increasingly found at crime scenes, making it harder for law enforcement to track down a suspect because the gun isn’t traceable. This bill would help keep these dangerous weapons out of our communities and save countless Colorado lives.”
“Colorado Democrats have passed life-saving gun violence prevention legislation to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, and our bill would strengthen those protections to save lives,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Background checks and high-capacity magazine limits are required in Colorado law to prevent gun deaths, and 3D printing guns or gun parts completely evades these safeguards. By cracking down on these ghost guns, we can better protect our communities and limit access to these dangerous, untraceable firearms.”
HB26-1144 would prohibit the use of a three-dimensional printer, or similar technology, to make a firearm or a firearm component. The bill would also prohibit the possession of instructions and the sale or distribution of instructions on how to use a three-dimensional printer to create a firearm or a firearm component. HB26-1144 would not apply to federally licensed firearms manufacturers.
Since 2016, the number of ghost guns used in crimes throughout the country increased by 1000-percent, yet over 99-percent of those guns cannot be traced back to a user, owner or producer. Between 2016 and 2021, law enforcement reported recovering over 45,000 privately-made firearms, including in nearly 700 homicide or attempted homicide investigations. When an untraceable gun is used in a crime, it can be impossible for a gun violence victim and their family to seek accountability.
Speaker Pro Tem Boesenecker passed the original “ghost guns” law back in 2023, which prohibited the possession, sale or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames and receivers.