Are 3D Printed Weapons Really ‘Unobtainable’? A New Study Has a Surprising Answer

Criminals have been trying to hide their crimes for centuries, especially when guns are involved. So it’s no surprise in this modern age of technology that 3D printed weapons are poised to become a major threat. Concerns have risen to the point that a new proposed law in California would require every 3D printer to have anti-gun technology to prevent the creation of so-called “ghost guns”. Although these weapons were believed to be untraceable, a study published in the journal Forensic Chemistry by a team of researchers now suggests otherwise.

A four-member research team found that some polymers used in the printing process can have noticeable differences from each other. This is due to the additions to the materials, and the diversity of the types of materials used. As an example, a weapon made of Polylactic Acid (PLA). common plastic for 3D-printing, can have different chemical differences in PLAs created by different companies or with different manufacturing processes. This means that, in some cases, one source of PLA can be separated from another.

However, it is important to note that while this is a step forward, it is still just the beginning. Researchers haven’t gotten to the point where they can fully trace a 3D printed weapon back to the person who bought the PLAs to make it. 3D printed weapons are still as resistant to traditional tracking methods, including ballistics, as they were before. More time may be needed before this tracking technology is fully perfected.

As of this writing, no major law enforcement or government agency has publicly commented on the 2026 study to track 3D printed weapons. However, this research is much needed, as USAFacts reports that the number of Privately Made Firearms (PMFs) acquired between 2017 and 2021 in the US increased by more than 1,000%, rising from 1,629 to 19,273. PMFs include 3D printed weapons, which are very difficult to track due to the lack of serial numbers.

The availability of 3D printed PMF files has increased, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, which reported that easily accessible file repositories such as GitHub and Google Drive were used to host more than 1,000 unique files in 2,100 different locations in 2023 alone. These files contain the designs used to actually print the weapons. Because of their accessibility, they are a big part of the problem, as there is usually no strong barrier between the files and the users who download them.

But there is no federal law that prohibits people who are legally allowed to own firearms from making them for personal use, including the 3D PMF. However, state laws can vary, and doing one in a place like California can land you in hot water with the law. The catch is that state law requires guns to contain enough metal to be detected by a metal detector. All-plastic PMFs may violate federal law; any sale of them, whether by a licensed dealer or not, is illegal.