Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components
Chaptered.
Official status checked 2026-09-24 12:12 PT
CO House 2026 Regular Session (prime sponsors per Leg page; Senate Sullivan/Wallace among co-prime) · Last amended 2026-04-15 · Effective 2026-07-01
Bill summary
The act defines 3-dimensional printing to mean additive and subtractive manufacturing.
The act prohibits knowingly manufacturing or producing a potentially functioning firearm, unfinished frame or receiver, large-capacity magazine, or rapid-fire device (firearm or firearm component) by 3-dimensional printing.
The prohibition does not apply to a federally licensed firearm manufacturer, an instructor or student of an accredited gunsmithing program, or an institution that operates an accredited gunsmithing program.
Unlawful 3-dimensional printing of a firearm or firearm component is a class 1 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 5 felony.
The official digest continues on the official text.
Now vs if chaptered
NOW (as of 2026-08-26): chaptered and effective since July 1, 2026. This is live Colorado criminal law, not a pending bill. Applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026.
Defender utility
Live Colorado charging statute. Demand proof of (1) knowing manufacture/production, (2) a potentially functional firearm or listed component (unfinished frame/receiver, LCM, rapid-fire device), and (3) 3D/CNC/similar means. FFL manufacturer and accredited gunsmithing-program educational use are statutory outs. Do not treat CAD-file possession as the class 1 misdemeanor without the manufacture element; file-distribution is a separate, narrower civil-infraction theory in the act. For California PDs this is comparative/PMF-tradition material, not a CA Penal Code count — pair with homemade-arms modular and CA §29180/§29185, not as a California charge. Effective July 1, 2026; applies to offenses on or after that date.
Who this is for. Colorado defenders on 3D/CNC manufacture counts; CA PDs as portable PMF/homemade-arms analog — not a California charge.
Key dates
- Chapter
- 94
- Effective
- 2026-07-01
- Introduced
- 2026-02-04
- Governor signed
- 2026-05-04
Exemptions (draft)
Does not apply to federally licensed firearm manufacturers; instructors, students, or institutions in an accredited gunsmithing program when manufacture is solely for educational instruction. Limited to potentially functional firearms and components — not prop/non-functioning parts. Confirm session-law text for the CAD civil-infraction mens rea (intent to manufacture or distribute unlawfully).
Penalties (if chaptered)
Unlawful 3D/CNC manufacture of a firearm or listed component: class 1 misdemeanor; second or subsequent offense is a class 5 felony. CAD/digital-instruction possession or distribution, as drafted, is a civil infraction — do not charge it as the class 1 without a manufacture theory.
Bank hints
- Motion Bank: Historical Tradition of Homemade and Privately Made Firearms (modular)
- Portable analog to CA §29185 / §29186 unlicensed 3D/CNC manufacture
- Case Watch: Palmer v. Lombardo (NV PMF)