New York Wants to Ctrl+Alt+Delete Your 3D Printer
New York is proposing legislation to broadly regulate 3D printers and other manufacturing equipment, ostensibly to curb "ghost gun" production. This sweeping approach has ignited a fiery debate on HN about government overreach and technological illiteracy. Commenters question the efficacy of such laws, predicting significant usability issues and drawing parallels to absurd past regulations.
The Lowdown
New York State is considering new legislation aimed at controlling the production of "ghost guns" by placing broad regulations on 3D printers and similar manufacturing tools. The proposed bill has sparked considerable alarm within the maker community and among privacy advocates, who fear its expansive definitions could stifle innovation and access to personal fabrication.
- The legislation defines regulated machines broadly, encompassing FDM and resin 3D printers, CNC mills, and any machine capable of "three-dimensional modifications to an object from a digital design file using subtractive manufacturing."
- The primary objective of the bill is to prevent the creation of untraceable, privately manufactured firearms, often referred to as "ghost guns."
- Critics argue that the proposed regulations are misguided, reflecting a deep misunderstanding of the technology by lawmakers and potentially leading to a massive decrease in the usability of 3D printers.
- The title's
The Gossip
Ctrl+Alt+Confusion
The use of "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" in the story's title sparked both confusion and amusement among commenters. Many questioned if the author or lawmakers understood the command's actual function, while some offered charitable interpretations, like a metaphor for 'Control, Alter, Delete' access. The consensus leaned towards a technically imprecise, if cleverly worded, title.
Gun Control Gadgetry & Government Grievances
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the perceived ineffectiveness and overreach of the proposed gun control measures. Commenters argued that 3D-printed guns are often unreliable and less of a threat than illicit firearms obtained through traditional means. They widely criticized the broad definition of regulated equipment, viewing it as a disproportionate and 'dumb' response that fails to address root causes, echoing sentiments of 'security theater.'
Unintended Usability Undermining
Many commenters expressed concern that the legislation, regardless of its intent, would severely impair the legitimate use and accessibility of 3D printers and other tools. They drew parallels to existing regulatory burdens, such as printer tracking dots that prevent printing due to specific ink shortages, suggesting similar bureaucratic hurdles could be imposed on 3D printing, effectively 'installing anti-virus on your 3D printer' and reducing its overall utility.