The Printer Censorship Law

New York's 2026-2027 budget bill (S.9005 / A.10005) includes a provision that mandates algorithms that block designs appearing to be gun parts on 3D printers and CNC equipment. This provision applies to all equipment sold in New York, and even requires in-person sales.

Additionally, §2.10, §2.11 of Part C Subpart A allow a Class E felony to be imposed for distributing or possessing certain 3D printer files, which could chill file-sharing by researchers, journalists, and artists.

EFF points out that this approach is technically infeasible and easy to circumvent, so rather than actually deterring crime, it would only increase surveillance, censorship, and access restrictions on legitimate users. Concerns have also been raised that once a mandate exists in a market as large as New York, manufacturers could effectively push it as a global standard.