Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Last Wednesday, Washington lawmakers rolled out House Bill 2320, a proposal that somehow manages to be redundant, vague, and constitutionally radioactive all at once.
The pitch: crack down harder on so-called “ghost guns” by banning private use of 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and even digital files that could be used to make firearm parts.
The execution? It’s even worse.
Supporters of HB 2320 insist they’re just “closing loopholes.” The problem is those loopholes don’t really exist. Manufacturing “untraceable firearms” is already illegal under Washington law, a fact even local media reporting acknowledged.
As KOMO News reported, lawmakers argue the bill is needed because criminals are increasingly using modern tools like 3D printers and milling machines to skirt the law.
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But here’s the part that never seems to land: criminals don’t need new laws to stop committing crimes. They already ignore the ones on the books.
HB 2320 goes far beyond targeting criminal behavior. It attempts to criminalize possession of digital design files and code, essentially information.
That’s not just a Second Amendment issue; it drags the First Amendment into the blast radius and raises serious Fifth Amendment due-process concerns.
You’re no longer being punished for making something illegal. You’re being punished for knowing how something could be made.
According to NRA-ILA, the bill’s title is wildly misleading. It’s not limited to 3D printing at all. The language includes a catch-all ban on manufacturing regulated items by “any other means,” opening the door to selective enforcement and creative prosecutions.
In plain English: if the state doesn’t like how you built something, they’ll figure out a way to say it’s illegal.
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Even worse, the bill would make it illegal for the general public to possess digital files related to firearm components. That’s not law enforcement, that’s internet policing. And it sets a precedent where state officials get to decide what information you’re allowed to access or store.
Meanwhile, actual criminals (the ones using stolen guns, trafficked firearms, or already-illegal devices) will continue doing exactly what they’ve always done. Ignore the law.
HB 2320 doesn’t stop crime. It doesn’t meaningfully target violent offenders. What it does do is expand government power, blur constitutional lines, and create new felonies out of thin air for people who weren’t hurting anyone to begin with.
That’s not public safety. That’s legislative theater with real consequences.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.