It’s every anti-2A politician’s dream to find a way to ban guns or to, at least, ban ways to make guns.
The problem for them is that technology is not on their side. The more technology develops, the easier that it gets for people to do things that the government can’t control. Like make things to use for personal defense.
As you know, though, governments don’t like anyone to be able to resist their demands. Governments, especially those leaning towards the political left, crave control above anything else and in doing so, trample our rights.
And that’s exactly what the NRA-ILA said a new bill would do if passed. Luke McCoy writes,
The NRA-ILA’s [National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action] alert highlights what it considers serious constitutional concerns with HB 2320:
Second Amendment: The bill criminalizes the private manufacture of firearms and components using 3D printers, CNC machines, or “other means.” The NRA argues this directly infringes on individuals’ rights to build firearms for lawful personal use—a practice historically protected under federal law for non-prohibited persons.
First Amendment: The bill prohibits the distribution and even the possession of digital design files (like CAD or G-code) for firearms or parts, potentially criminalizing information and expression.
Fifth Amendment: Because possession of files or tools can be used as presumptive evidence of criminal intent, the NRA warns the bill may force individuals to incriminate themselves in violation of due process protections.
Vague Language: The use of the phrase “other means” in the manufacturing restrictions, the group argues, gives the state leeway to apply the law to traditional tools or methods, expanding its reach well beyond the digital realm.
Those are all huge concerns. Of course, this legislation, which is just another attempt at gun control by preventing full use of 3-D printers, violates the Bill of Rights.
But politically left leaning states such as Washington often “borrow” the ideas for terrible legislation from each other. That means that left leaning politicians in every state of the union are likely looking at this legislation as a possible way to implement gun control in their state, too, regardless of what happens in Washington.
And that’s why legal gun owners across the country should be concerned about this bill if it passes in Washington.
Because of this, we must all stay diligent to keep our gun rights so that our children and grandchildren can continue to have them, too.
