California has filed a landmark lawsuit against two websites that distribute instructions for manufacturing untraceable “ghost guns” using 3D printers, marking a significant escalation in the battle over digital firearm blueprints.
The Lawsuit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu have filed suit against Gatalog Foundation Inc. and CTRLPEW LLC, alleging the websites provide access to illegal and untraceable firearms in violation of multiple state laws.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, argues that the websites distributed computer code and guidelines for 3D printing firearms, illegal large-capacity magazines, and other firearm-related products.
The Scale of the Problem
According to the lawsuit, the websites offer computer code and instructions for more than 150 designs of lethal firearms and prohibited firearm accessories. State officials, as part of their investigation, were able to download code and instructions “with a few simple keystrokes” and use it to build a Glock-style handgun.
“These defendants’ conduct enables unlicensed people who are too young or too dangerous to pass firearm background checks to illegally print deadly weapons without a background check and without a trace.”
— Attorney General Rob Bonta
A Growing Crisis
The proliferation of ghost guns has increased dramatically over the past decade in California:
| Year | Ghost Guns Recovered |
|——|———————|
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2021-2025 | ~11,000 per year |
“Because they are not serialized, ghost guns are effectively untraceable by law enforcement,” the lawsuit stated. “And because they are manufactured privately, often in one’s home, they bypass critical safeguards like background checks.”
The Defendants
The lawsuit names three individuals as defendants:
Larosiere previously characterized ghost guns as a legal hobby for firearms enthusiasts in a 2019 interview, stating: “It is, and always has been, legal for ordinary adults to make firearms for their own personal use.”
Real-World Consequences
The lawsuit highlighted particularly stark examples of the dangers 3D printed firearms pose:
Industry Response
Adam Skaggs, chief counsel and vice president of GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, noted that the organization has previously partnered with Bonta to stop three ghost gun companies from operating throughout California.
“A new generation of irresponsible gun industry actors are trying to unlawfully arm minors, people with felony convictions, and domestic abusers by letting them 3D-print their own guns without any background checks.”
What This Means for 3D Printing
This lawsuit highlights the complex intersection of 3D printing technology and firearm regulation. While 3D printing offers tremendous creative and manufacturing possibilities, this case underscores the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with sharing digital designs.
For the legitimate 3D printing community, this serves as a reminder to: