The Wire · CalGunHub

California Governor Signs Law Mandating Firearm-Blocking Technology in New 3D Printers

Published October 7, 2026 · Updated October 12, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom has approved legislation requiring new 3D printers sold in California to include firearm-blocking features, though implementation depends on future technical standards.

Written by the CalGunHub desk from public reporting

Who this affects: The new statute will not immediately alter the availability of 3D printers in California, as the rules remain contingent on the creation of a technical standard by ASTM International. If a standard is published before July 1, 2029, future retail sales and transfers of 3D printers within the state could be restricted to models equipped with firearm-blocking technology. Californians who already possess 3D printers will not be required to retrofit their existing devices, as the legislation exempts current owners.

Governor Gavin Newsom has approved legislation requiring new 3D printers sold within California to incorporate firearm-blocking technology, 3D Printing Industry reported. The statute makes California the second state in the nation, following New York, to enact such a mandate.

However, the core requirements of the legislation will not take effect immediately. The implementation is entirely contingent on ASTM International, an independent standards organization, developing and publishing a technical standard for the required blocking features. State officials at the California Department of Justice are instructed to begin quarterly checks for this standard by July 1, 2027.

If ASTM International fails to establish a relevant standard by July 1, 2029, the state agency's obligation to monitor the situation will expire. According to the reporting outlet, without a published standard to trigger compliance, "manufacturers would face no enforceable requirement." If a standard is adopted before the deadline, the state's Department of Justice will then issue its own minimum performance guidelines for manufacturers.

The new regulations specifically target the commercial market. The statute restricts retail transactions and transfers for compensation involving non-compliant machines. It does not regulate the ownership or use of devices that are already in circulation, and there is no requirement to retrofit older models.

Enforcing software-based restrictions on these machines may present technical hurdles. Michael Weinberg, a policy expert cited by the publication, pointed out that many desktop models utilize open-source hardware and modifiable firmware. This architecture could allow users to bypass or replace the blocking systems entirely.

Similar legislative efforts are currently advancing in Colorado and Washington, which would bring the total number of states pursuing 3D printer hardware regulations to four.

Informational only, not legal advice. Facts are attributed to the sources listed above.