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New York City Officials Report Rise in 3D-Printed 'Ghost Guns'

2025-11-20

The BareStory

Law enforcement officials in New York City have reported a significant increase in the recovery of untraceable, 3D-printed firearms, commonly known as "ghost guns." These weapons, which can be made almost entirely of plastic using plans found online, have raised concerns among police because they may be able to pass through metal detectors. Some officials have also described the firearms as resembling toys.

The New York City Police Department has attributed the growth to the increased accessibility of 3D printers and an online movement referred to as "3D2A." According to the NYPD's ghost gun coordinator, Courtney Nilan, this online community is "massive" and dedicated to perfecting firearm designs that circumvent gun control laws. Nilan also stated that over 20% of 3D-printed ghost guns are recovered from individuals under the age of 18.

The Queens District Attorney's office, which said it recovered 42% of ghost guns found in the city last year, claimed these weapons are increasingly being used in crimes such as robberies and homicides. In one high-profile case from December 2024, prosecutors alleged that the suspect in the fatal shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO used a ghost gun equipped with a 3D-printed silencer.

According to data from the gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety, law enforcement recoveries of 3D-printed guns nationwide surged from over 30 in 2020 to more than 300 by 2024. Officials noted that 3D printers can cost as little as $200. A former police officer, Victor Cardona, stated that plans for these weapons are "readily available" and that newer printers are reducing the need for metal components.

Left Perspective

  • Ghost guns pose a unique and growing public safety risk.
  • These weapons are allegedly being used in violent crimes.
  • The firearms are becoming highly accessible, including to minors.

Right Perspective

  • A large online movement is dedicated to developing firearm designs.
  • The community's work facilitates widespread access to firearm plans.
  • The group's efforts are aimed at circumventing gun control laws.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• An increase in plastic firearms could challenge the effectiveness of metal detectors at secure locations, potentially creating new public safety risks.

• Law enforcement reports that these untraceable guns are increasingly used in violent crimes like robberies and homicides, which may impact community safety.

• The accessibility of these weapons to minors, with over 20% recovered from those under 18, could lead to new concerns about youth-related gun incidents.

• The rise of guns designed to bypass existing laws may prompt new legislative debates and regulations concerning 3D printers and the sharing of online firearm plans.

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