House adopts measure restricting 3D‑printed firearms after hours‑long debate

The Colorado House voted to adopt House Bill 11‑44 on third reading, a measure that prohibits using three‑dimensional printing and certain automated machining to manufacture firearms or essential firearm components.

Supporters said the measure is a public‑safety update meant to reduce circulation of unserialized “ghost guns.” Representative Basenecker, speaking in favor on the floor, cited federal court writing and a rise in recoveries of 3‑D‑printed firearms and said the bill builds on state action last year to stay ahead of evolving threats. "Police departments around the nation have confronted an explosion of crimes involving evolving these ghost guns," he said, arguing the state must act to keep background checks and other safeguards meaningful.

Opponents called for caution and raised constitutional and practical objections. Representative Barone said the conduct targeted by the bill is already illegal and warned the measure risks criminalizing benign digital designs and components used for lawful purposes: "We're punishing pictures, a digital picture of a firearm," she said, and urged a no vote. Representative De Graaf, Representative Richardson and several others said the bill risks chilling protected speech or overcriminalizing manufacturing tools and hobbyists.

Lawmakers also debated penalty levels and the scope of the prohibited items. Representative Soper, who spoke at length about drafting and interpretation, urged lawmakers to use federally recognized terms such as "readily convertible" to align state law with existing definitions and avoid gaps that could confuse courts. Several members raised the fiscal note, which committee staff described as minimal because prosecutions under similar statutes have been rare; critics asked whether criminal penalties of the proposed severity are appropriate given that rarity.

Assistant Majority Leader Bacon argued the bill focuses on tools that are 'much more harmful than others' and defended provisions designed to limit distribution of files or designs intended to produce unserialized firearms outside licensed channels. "We are not fighting wars with bows and arrows," he said, asserting firearms are uniquely impactful and that laws can regulate tools that demonstrably facilitate serious harm.

The House adopted the bill on a recorded vote: 40 yes, 25 no. The House report shows the bill advanced on third reading and final passage after the vote recorded in the chamber.

What happens next: The bill passes the House and will proceed to the Senate for further consideration, where additional floor debate, amendments or committee review may occur.