Representative Linsky Files Gun Legislation

BOSTON- Representative David Linsky (D-Natick) announced today that he has filed “HD.302, An Act relative to 3D printed weapons and ‘ghost guns’,” which prohibits the manufacturing of 3D printed guns without a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and requires that all DIY weapons have unique serial numbers so that they may be properly traced a recorded.

“3-D printed guns and ‘ghost guns’ – untraceable firearms without serial numbers, constitute a significant public safety and public health threat to our Commonwealth and our Nation.” said Representative Linsky. “As ghost guns continue to emerge in communities across the country, it has become evident just how easy it is to go from an unfinished firearm frame or receiver to a fully functioning firearm in only a couple of hours.”

Massachusetts has already seen numerous incidents where ghost guns have even been used to commit criminal acts and have been recovered by law enforcement. These DIY weapons are easy to obtain and assemble and have been shown to be a common choice for gun traffickers, extremists, and other violent criminals.

“These weapons are available for possession and use by those who could not legally possess or purchase a firearm due to criminal record, mental illness or other reasons,” further commented Linsky. “This makes them unsuitable under our effective firearms laws and the loophole must be closed.”

Key provisions in the bill include:

· Bans the manufacture or assembly of a firearm without obtaining a unique serial number or other identification mark from DCJIS
· Bans the 3D printing of firearms and any parts that are intended to assemble a functioning firearm unless a person possesses a federal license to manufacture firearms
· Bans the distribution of digital instructions that may be used to program a three-dimensional printer to manufacture or produce a firearm, firearm receiver, magazine, or firearm component
· Bans the manufacture or assembly of any firearm that is undetectable
· Requires that an individual who manufactures or assembles a firearms must notify DCJIS within 30 days and provide any identifying information concerning the firearm and the owner of the firearm

“Ideally, this issue would be addressed at the federal level, however it is clear that individual states must act now to ensure that no one has the ability to manufacture, possess, or distribute 3D printed guns and ghost guns,” said Linsky. “ This is an important and crucial step in reducing gun violence and preventing more tragedies from happening.”

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