N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(l); S3894 / A4917; S1558
Law since 2018, strengthened in 2019 and again in 2026 (file possession now criminalized).
Last reviewed 2026-08-27
New Jersey has had a 3D printing firearms statute since 2018. N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(l), from P.L. 2018 c. 138, remains active law.
In 2026, New Jersey enacted S3894 / A4917, closing what the state calls the possession loophole: the 2018 law banned distributing the files, and the 2026 law extends criminal liability to knowingly possessing them with intent to manufacture a firearm. It is a fourth-degree crime, and it implements a recommendation from the 2024 State Commission of Investigation report on ghost guns.
A separate bill, S1558 (Turner and Ruiz, 2024–2025 session), would have raised several 3D-printed and untraceable firearm offences from second-degree to first-degree crimes, carrying 10 to 20 years and fines up to $200,000. It advanced through committee, with its last recorded action on June 19, 2025, but did not pass before the session ended in January 2026; watch for any 2026–2027 reintroduction.
New Jersey is also where the constitutional fight is happening. In Defense Distributed v. Attorney General of New Jersey, a three-judge Third Circuit panel affirmed dismissal on February 12, 2026, holding that the plaintiffs had not shown the functional code files to be protected expressive speech. The Third Circuit denied en banc rehearing on April 10, 2026, and the Second Amendment Foundation and Defense Distributed petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for certiorari on August 11, 2026 (captioned Defense Distributed v. Davenport); the Court has not yet decided whether to hear it.
2018 law: third-degree crime for an unlicensed person to use a 3D printer to manufacture a firearm, frame, receiver or component.
2018 law: prohibits distributing CAD files, code or digital instructions for 3D-printing firearms to anyone in New Jersey who is not a licensed manufacturer.
2018 law: prohibits manufacturing undetectable firearms via additive manufacturing.
S3894 / A4917 (enacted 2026): fourth-degree crime for an unlicensed person to knowingly possess digital instructions with intent to print a firearm, receiver, magazine or component. Up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000, or both.
S1558 (did not pass in the 2024–2025 session): would have raised 3D-printed and untraceable firearm offences to first-degree crimes.
The 2026 law is enacted, not pending. It makes knowingly possessing firearm files with intent to manufacture a fourth-degree crime.
Contact your legislators to voice support or opposition or to push for amendment or repeal; confirm the enacted chapter and P.L. number and the effective date; subscribe to bill tracking for any cleanup or related measures.
Find your legislators via “Find Your Legislator” at njleg.state.nj.us; Legislative Information and Bill Room / Office of Legislative Services, (609) 292-4840 or toll-free (800) 792-8630, leginfo@njleg.org.
A certiorari petition was filed at the U.S. Supreme Court on August 11, 2026; the Court has not yet decided whether to hear it.
Trade groups, open-source and technology advocates, makerspaces and civil-liberties organizations may file amicus curiae briefs at the cert stage and, if review is granted, on the merits under Supreme Court Rule 37 (a member of the Supreme Court Bar must file), or support a party.
Track the docket at supremecourt.gov (search “Defense Distributed v. Davenport”); petitioners are the Second Amendment Foundation (saf.org) and Defense Distributed; the New Jersey Attorney General (njoag.gov) defends the statute.
S1558 (Turner and Ruiz) did not pass before the 2024–2025 session ended in January 2026 and would carry a new bill number if reintroduced in 2026–2027.
Set keyword alerts (“firearm,” “3D printer,” “ghost gun”); on reintroduction and committee referral (e.g. Senate Law and Public Safety or Assembly Judiciary), submit written testimony to the committee aide or register to testify in person in Trenton.
Bill subscription service at njleg.state.nj.us; confirm hearing dates and testimony procedures via the Legislative Information and Bill Room, (800) 792-8630.