New York state lawmakers and law enforcement officials are advancing a bill designed to combat the rising prevalence of 3D-printed “auto sears,” which can modify standard firearms into fully automatic weapons. Data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives reveals a staggering jump in the seizure of these devices, from 658 in 2019 to 5,816 in 2023, indicating a significant safety concern as homemade modifications become more common.
The proposed legislation, backed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, seeks to make it illegal to share online blueprints for these auto sears, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to adapt to evolving technology. Bragg has noted a troubling increase in criminal cases featuring 3D-printed firearms, highlighting instances where individuals, including incarcerated suspects, have been involved in illegal gun trafficking that utilizes these dangerous modifications.
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