As part of her 2026 State of the State agenda, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new legislative proposals aimed at strengthening New York’s gun laws to address the rise of 3D-printed and illegal firearms. The proposed measures would make it a crime to intentionally sell, distribute, or possess digital instructions for illegally manufacturing firearms without a license. They would also require mandatory reporting of recovered 3D-printed guns to the state’s Criminal Gun Clearinghouse database and establish minimum safety standards for 3D printer manufacturers to prevent their products from being used to create firearms or component parts.
Additionally, the legislation would mandate that gun manufacturers design pistols so they cannot be easily modified into illegal machine guns using devices such as Glock switches. Police departments and sheriffs’ offices across New York would be required to report all recoveries of 3D-printed guns.
Governor Hochul said, “Public safety is my top priority. When I took office, I made a promise to New Yorkers to attack the gun violence epidemic head-on, and as gun technology continues to evolve, so do our strongest-in-the-nation gun laws. From the iron pipeline to the plastic pipeline, these proposals will keep illegal ghost guns off of New York streets, and enhance measures to track and block the production of dangerous and illegal firearms in our state. I remain committed to continuing the progress we saw in 2025 to reduce gun violence in New York and ensuring our laws remain the strongest and safest in the nation.”
Statewide data shows that shootings in New York fell by 60 percent from when Governor Hochul took office in 2021 through 2025, reaching their lowest levels on record.
New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed support for these initiatives: “Homicides and shootings continue to decline across Manhattan because of our comprehensive approach to gun violence rooted in precision prosecution and prevention alongside the NYPD and crucial investments in public safety from the Governor. Yet as technology evolves, so does the widening threat of 3D-printed firearms, which requires decisive action. These illegal firearms are being manufactured in homes and used in crimes right now, which is why I have been working with my colleagues in Albany and the private sector over the past several years to stop their proliferation. Passing these measures will reduce crime and strengthen public safety for all New Yorkers, and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership and collaboration.”
Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon also highlighted concerns about ghost guns: “The proliferation of ghost guns and rapid-fire modification devices on our streets pose a clear and present danger to our neighbors, loved ones, and law enforcement officers. And while my office has successfully investigated and prosecuted countless ghost gun manufacturers, existing loopholes and shortcomings in our laws must be addressed to ensure the safety of all who call New York State home. The legislation outlined in Governor Hochul’s proposal would undoubtedly lead to more effective investigations, stronger prosecutions in the courtroom, and safer communities for all New Yorkers, and I am proud to support these pro-public safety provisions. While Staten Island was proud to witness record lows in violent crime, including homicides and shootings in 2025, more must be done to protect our communities from the scourge of gun violence, and I commend Governor Hochul for her dedicated efforts to protect residents across the Empire State from 3D-printed firearms and other dangerous and illegal weapons.”
Superintendent of the New York State Police Steven G. James stated: “As technology evolves, so do the threats we face. These proposals give law enforcement the tools we need to address the growing danger posed by 3D-printed and illegally modified firearms, while strengthening our ability to track, investigate, and prevent gun violence. Governor Hochul’s leadership ensures New York remains at the forefront of public safety, and the New York State Police stands ready to work with our partners to enforce these measures and keep our communities safe.”
Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala commented: “New York has always led the way in the fight to save lives and protect communities by passing some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation. That’s why we’re here today to meet these emerging threats head on. Prevention means stopping violence before it happens. And accountability means requiring the industry to be part of the solution. Governor Hochul’s proposal to set clear safety standards for manufacturers of guns and 3D printers addresses both, and will help stop illegal weapons like DIY machine guns before they reach our communities. Thank you, Governor, for showing the country what it looks like when a state takes gun violence prevention seriously.”
Other state legislators echoed support for tougher restrictions on untraceable firearms:
State Senator Zellnor Myrie said: “Communities like mine are facing a gun violence crisis. Yet with a 3D printer or a $25 part and a screwdriver people can easily make DIY machine guns to get around our laws. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for leading this fight, and look forward to working with her to keep our streets subways and schools safe from dangerous and illegal weapons.”
State Senator Cordell Cleare added: “As a legislator who has been working tirelessly to solve infiltration of ‘Ghost’and ‘3D Printer’guns for years,I commendtheGovernor’s exacting focus on this issue.It is heartbreaking when new technology is usedto destroy rather than build upourcommunities.I supporttheinitiatives mentionedandwillbeapartnerinenactingthesepublicsafetyandpublichealthmeasures.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy noted: “Ghost gunsandpistol convertershave no placeonourstreetsorinourCapitalRegioncommunities—theyaredangerousuntraceable,andalltoo often,incrediblyeasytomakeandacquire.Bybanningtheuseof3-DprinterstocreateGhostGunsandprohibitingtheuseofpistolconverters,weareonceagainpositioningNewYorkStatetotakestrongandnation-leadingactiontoprotectourcommunitiesandneighborsfromthescourgeofgunviolence.NewYorkhassomeofthestrongestgunlawsonthebooksandhashistoricallyandcontinuouslyledthenationinthefightagainstgunviolence…”
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal remarked: “The proliferationofuntraceablefirearmshasallowedgunviolencetofestercomplicatingtheeffortsoflawenforcementagenciesingettingthesedangerousandillegalweapons offourstreets.In2021,mylegislationbanningthesaleandpossessionofghostgunsbecamelawandIamproudthatGovernorHochulwillbeincludingotherlegislationIsponsortocrackdownon3-Dprintedgunsinher2026-27statebudgetproposal.Peopleshouldnothavetheabilitytobuildweaponsofwarfromtheircouch,andmylegislationwillpreventcriminalsfromgettingtheirhandson3-Dprintedgunpartsandthefilesusedtocreatethem.”
Assemblymember John T.McDonald III,RPh said,“3D-printedghostgunshavenoplaceinoursociety…GovernorHochul’sproposalisanecessaryandcommonsensesafetycheckthatwillbuildonproven effortslikeGIVE…”
Assemblymember Gabriella A.Romero said,“Icaredeeplyaboutaddressinggunviolence,andtheseproposalstakeatop-to-bottomapproachtoensuringtherearenogapsinourlawsthatleaveNewYorkersvulnerabletogunviolence-especiallywhenitcomestoghostgunsandillegalmodifications…”
Assemblymember Michaelle C.Solages stated,”Machinegunsareweaponsofwarwithnoplaceinourneighborhoods…Iamproudtosponsor thislegislation,andIthankGovernorHochulformakingthislife-savingmeasureatoppriorityinherStateoftheState.”
Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman added,“WeareecstaticthatNewYorkistakingdecisiveactiontostoptheriseof3D-printedandaddressingmodifyinggunsintoillegalmachinefirearmsbeforetheycostmorelives…”
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal stated:”IamelatedthatGovernorHochulwillchampionthisnecessaryandlife-savinggunsafetylegislativeeffortthisyear…WithGovernorHochulandMajorityLeaderStewart-Cousins’leadership,theActallowedtheNYPDtoremovethousandsofghostgunsfromourstreetsincluding438in2024…”
Since taking office,Gov.Hochulhasallocated$1.27billiontogunviolencepreventioninitiatives.AccordingtotheFY2026Budget,$347millionwasdedicatedtothesemeasures.Recentallocationsincluded$36millionfortheGunInvolvedViolenceElimination(GIVE)initiativewhichsupports28policedepartmentsoutsideNewYorkCityalongwithotherlocallawenforcementpartners; $20.7 millionforSNUGStreetOutreachprogramsfundingcommunity-basedorganizations,hospitals,outreachworkersandsocialworkers;$20millionforProjectRISEtoenhanceprevention,youthdevelopment,andmentalhealthservicesforat-riskyouth;$40.6millionfortheYouthEmploymentProgramtargetingat-riskyouthoutsideNYC;and$127millionforlawenforcementtechnologygrantsaimedatmodernizingequipmenttohelppreventandsolveviolentcrimesbyfirearms.
During January–November last year,GIVEparticipantcommunitiesreported477shootingincidentswithinjury—thefewestsinceofficialstatetrackingbegan.Thiswasadropof60percentcomparedtothesametimein2021anda15percentdeclinefrom2024.