The California State Assembly has passed AB 2047, legislation that would require all 3D printers sold in the state to include state-approved software that scans digital design files for firearm components and blocks print jobs producing prohibited parts. The bill, which now heads to the state Senate, would make it a criminal offense for users to bypass the mandated scanning or use alternative open-source software with their printers.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has renewed calls to defeat the bill, arguing the mandated technology is technically infeasible. "There is no world where the mandated technology actually works as intended," the EFF wrote. "It will both block lawful use of 3D printers, and allow firearms to be printed by anyone determined to do so." The latest amendments downgraded the performance standard from "effectively preventing a technically skilled user from evading" the algorithm to merely "substantially reducing the likelihood" of circumvention.

Digital rights advocates warn the bill creates a surveillance apparatus with no guardrails limiting the scanning to firearm designs. The EFF notes the "constantly expanding blacklist" could creep into other areas like copyright enforcement, while the surveillance data collected by manufacturers poses risks of being shared with other companies. The bill includes carveouts for the entertainment industry and commercial users, but leaves out indie filmmakers, cosplayers, and hobbyists.

"Under these proposed laws, manufacturers of consumer 3D printers must ensure their printers only work with their software," the EFF's Cliff Braun wrote. The organization is urging California residents to contact their state senators to vote against AB 2047 before it becomes law.

Sources: EFF, The Register